FACT #1. It’s Deadly….
Prostate cancer kills 30,000 men a year. It’s the second leading
cause of cancer death in men behind only lung cancer.
FACT #2. Not Everyone Experiences Symptoms…
Many times, a doctor first detects signs of prostate cancer during a routine
check-up. Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual
function that might indicate prostate cancer. These symptoms include:
A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
Weak or interrupted flow of urine
Painful or burning urination
Difficulty in having an erection
Painful ejaculation
Blood in urine or semen
Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
You should consult with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above.
FACT #3. Screening is Critical…
It’s recommended that all men over 50 visit their primary care physician
for prostate cancer screening and receive:
A rectal exam every year
A blood test to check PSA levels every year.
A prostate cancer screening may reveal results that prompt a doctor to
recommend a biopsy. If cancer is found, your doctor may recommend visiting
an oncologist to discuss treatment options.
FACT #4. Three Main Ways to Treat Prostate Cancer…
“Radiation is one of three main ways of managing prostate cancer.
Another is surgery, which is usually done robotically. This is significantly
less invasive than conventional surgery,” says Dr. Thomas Simko,
a radiation oncologist with Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s Radiation
Oncology Department. “Then there is a group of patients who may
not need treatment at all, and can exercise active surveillance. This
approach is usually for older patients with indolent cancers. Under active
surveillance doctors look at age, overall health, probable lifespan, as
well as PSA results and Gleason scores (a score given to tissue samples
taken during a prostate biopsy to rate the cancer’s aggressiveness.”
Additional treatments often used in advanced prostate cancers include
immunotherapies, hormonal therapies and some chemotherapies.
FACT #5. Deciding on the Best Treatment…
Surgery and radiation—including radiation using TrueBeam technology—
are all very effective treatments for prostate cancer. Consult with your
Primary Care Physician, a Urologist and a Radiation Oncologist before
making a decision.
To schedule a screening call 310-891-6717