Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men just after skin cancer. The prostate is a small gland that rests underneath the bladder and when caught early, it may be confined to the prostate gland which makes it highly treatable with very positive treatment outcomes. The majority of prostate cancer types grow slowly; however, some can be aggressive and spread quickly. The risk increases with age and African Americans are at greater risk of developing the disease. Scientists and researchers are actively studying the causes of prostate cancer, which include factors such as genetics, smoking, diet, obesity and other environmental factors to offer better diagnostics and more targeted and effective treatments.

Annual screenings for prostate cancer are vital to the early detection and treatment of the disease. This type of cancer tends to run in families. Therefore, if you have a family member, such as a father or a brother, with the disease you have an increased risk of developing the disease. This type of cancer can be cured when caught early. A yearly examination and screening performed by your primary care physician or a urologist is an important part of your routine health care.

The goal of prostate cancer screening is to find cancer early before it spreads and when it is the most treatable. Your doctor will perform a digital rectal exam (DRE) to evaluate the size of the prostate gland as well as take a blood sample to detect the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. A sudden rise or increase in the PSA levels may warrant further testing. These two tests are effective and the most commonly used when performing a screening.

Although the exact cause is unknown, there are risks of prostate cancer that increase the chances of developing the disease, such as:

Men over 50 have an increased risk and the risk increases with age

African American men have an increased risk as do Caribbean men of African ancestry

Men with a family history of the disease have an increased risk

Studies indicate obesity may increase the chances of developing a more aggressive form

Blue Ridge Urological of Fishersville, VA encourages all patients over the age of 55, who have an average to increased risk of developing prostate cancer, to be screened yearly as part of routine healthcare examinations. To learn more about these screenings, schedule an appointment online, or call (540) 932-5926.

The symptoms of prostate cancer can vary from person to person and may be similar to other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate. Therefore, if you are experiencing any abnormal symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms of prostate cancer include:

In its early stages, most prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms. If you are over the age of 50 and you are experiencing any of the symptoms, see a urologist as soon as possible. Early detection of this disease offers more options for treatment as well as more successful health outcomes.

The markers of potential prostate cancer are usually detected on one of the two main screening tests; a digital rectal exam and PSA blood tests. If the disease is suspected by your primary care physician – you will be referred to a urologist who treats the disease. The diagnosis can be made after additional tests are performed to detect the presence of cancer cells. A prostate biopsy is a test that is used when cancer is suspected and to make a prostate cancer diagnosis. A small sample of the tissue from the prostate gland is removed and sent to a lab to determine if prostate cancer cells are present.

At Blue Ridge Urological, our board-certified urologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the next step is to stage the disease based on whether it is localized to the prostate gland or has spread outside of the prostate (metastatic prostate cancer or advanced prostate cancer). This information is vital in determining the best treatment plan for you.

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are several important factors, such as age, overall health, life expectancy, and personal preference, to consider when choosing a treatment option. The stage of cancer will most likely guide the treatment course; however, if the cancer is caught early and isolated to the prostate gland, more treatment options may be available.

It is possible for patients who have stage 1 cancer of the prostrate, meaning it is small and slow-growing, to actively observe or survey the cancer over a period of time. This can be an option for patients who want to delay or prolong the side effects associated with radical prostatectomy. The cancer will most likely need to be treated, however, it is possible to postpone treatment during the active surveillance option.

Some patients choose to begin treatment immediately after a diagnosis, which may include minimally invasive robotic surgery using the daVinci® Surgery System to perform a radical prostatectomy. Depending on the stage of cancer, radiation therapy may be needed to completely eradicate the cancer cells. Radiation therapy used in the treatment of this type of cancer can be delivered externally, which directs the high-energy rays into the targeted area to kill the cancer, or internally, by surgically placing radioactive seeds or pellets in the area to destroy the cancer cells. The goal of surgery and radiation treatment is to cure the disease.

OTHER PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS:

Blue Ridge Urological understands that each man’s experience with prostate cancer is unique. Our board certified urologists will work with you to tailor an individualized treatment plan that will aim to cure the cancer with the least amount of long term side effects. We will make sure that you have the resources you need to make the best possible decisions throughout the process. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Blue Ridge Urological today at (540) 932-5926.