Who’s At Risk for Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers that affect men in the United States and ultimately, every man is at risk for the disease. In fact, 13 out of 100 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime and 2-3 will die from the disease.

At Urology Specialist Group, our experienced urology specialists prioritize men’s health and preventive care. We offer services to reduce your risk factors for prostate cancer and other diseases. We also screen for early warning signs of cancer, so you can get treatment right away.

What to know about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland, that gland that produces semen. When cells grow and divide abnormally, they can become cancerous and ultimately develop into tumors.

While prostate cancer is usually slow growing, some men may develop an aggressive cancer that grows quickly and can spread to other areas of the body. As the disease advances, it can cause:

• Pelvic pain
• Urination difficulties
• Blood in the urine
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Because symptoms of prostate cancer don’t typically show up until the disease progresses, you can have cancer for some time before you know it.

For this reason, it’s important that you get regular prostate screenings starting at 50. You may need screenings earlier or more frequently if you have certain risk factors, such as a family history of prostate cancer, African American ancestry, or a personal history of other types of cancer.

What to expect during a prostate cancer screening

Even before you have symptoms, our urology team can identify warning signs of cancer during a prostate exam. Your provider checks your prostate for lumps or other abnormalities during a manual exam.

If lumps are present, you may need an ultrasound imaging test to determine if it’s a tumor. At Urology Specialist Group, we offer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fusion testing developed by our own physician, Fernando Bianco, MD. This advanced testing involves a combination of MRI and ultrasound imaging to create a more accurate image of your prostate.

You may also need a biopsy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove a tissue sample from the growth for further evaluation under a microscope. If testing reveals cancer, we can determine its stage and customize a care plan to treat it and prevent it from spreading.

Exploring treatment options for prostate cancer

Some men won’t need treatment right away for prostate cancer in the earliest stages. Our urologists may take a wait-and-see approach, continuously monitoring your prostate health during routine checkups.

If you have more advanced prostate cancer, you may need one or more treatments like:

• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Cryoablation

Prostatectomy, a surgery to remove your prostate, may be a last-resort treatment option when other therapies aren’t working.

Strategies to lower your prostate cancer risks

No every case of prostate cancer can be prevented but there are things you can do to lower your risk for cancer and its complications.

Our specialists can recommend ways to lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy body weight through lifestyle and diet changes. You should also get daily exercise and break bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol use.

We can also help you set up routine cancer screenings based on your health history and risk factors for prostate cancer.

Call the Urology Specialist Group office near you or book an appointment online today to learn more about the benefits of preventive prostate cancer screenings.