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The statistics are sobering: approximately one in six men nationwide will develop cancer of the prostate — a walnut-sized gland below the bladder which produces fluid that forms semen. It is the second-most common cancer affecting men throughout the U.S. and the second-leading cause of male cancer death.
However, when detected early and treated appropriately, prostate cancer has a cure rate of greater than 90 percent.
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The Prostate Cancer Program at CentraState Medical Center offers state-of-the-art services, expertise, and technology for detecting, diagnosing, treating and helping patients recover from prostate cancer. Because our focus is on the whole patient, not simply the disease, we also offer guidance on maintaining prostate health and complementary therapies to support self-healing and emotional well being, while helping patients maximize the benefits of conventional treatment.
Our multidisciplinary, integrated approach assures patients and their families of continuity of care and the convenience of finding everything under one roof in the friendly, attentive environment of a community-based medical center.
The prostate cancer team is led by an outstanding group of board-certified physicians specializing in Urology/Urologic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Oncology. Trained at leading academic medical centers, these doctors combine their expertise to evaluate and treat all stages of the disease. The team also includes Magnet-designated nurses credentialed in chemotherapy and certified in cancer care and other professionals focused on patients’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
CentraState is accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC), which sets the standards for cancer care programs nationwide and has recognized CentraState with an Outstanding Achievement Award.
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Risk Assessment, Symptoms & Screening
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Increased risk for prostate cancer has been linked to:
- Age — Two out of every three diagnoses are in men over age 65.
- Race — African-American men have a higher incidence of the disease than do Caucasian men and are twice as likely to die from it.
- Family History — Having a first-degree relative (a father, brother, or son) with the disease doubles the risk.
- Diet — A diet high in red meat or fatty dairy products and low in vegetables and fruit appears to increase the risk.
Although prostate cancer often displays no symptoms, men may experience problems urinating, erectile dysfunction, and/or pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs. These problems can also indicate the presence of other diseases, so it is important to see a doctor to determine their nature and cause.
The standard approach to detecting prostate cancer is a screening that includes a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. The American Cancer Society recommends that doctors offer male patients annual screenings beginning at age 50, or at 45 for men at higher risk for the disease.
As a community service, CentraState offers free screenings throughout the year. Check our health screening calendar for any upcoming events. |
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Accurate Diagnosis & Staging of Cancer
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A prostate biopsy is necessary to verify the existence of cancer. This is generally a short, outpatient procedure to remove small tissue samples that can be performed in our Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Tissue samples are promptly analyzed on site in our Pathology Department. If cancer is found, further sample analysis will help predict how aggressively it may behave and how to direct therapies to stop it.
Additional imaging tests may be needed to determine the stage (extent) of the cancer — i.e., whether it is confined to the prostate or has spread. All are performed on site in our Radiology Department.
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Complementary, Supportive Services
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Patients may find dealing with the emotional and physical effects of prostate cancer to be stressful, even isolating. To help them cope, we offer an array of supportive services including:
- A prostate cancer support group;
- Complementary therapies such as massage, T’ai Chi, Reiki, raindrop technique, and therapeutic touch; and
- Classes focusing on wellness topics such as stress management, healthy nutrition, physical fitness and smoking cessation.
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Individualized Treatment Options
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Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on his unique age, life expectancy, health status, lifestyle and personal preferences; the severity of the cancer and whether it is a recurrence of a pre-existing cancer; and potential complications or side effects of each therapeutic approach. When appropriate, our physicians might recommend "active surveillance" in which no action is taken beyond regular screenings and an occasional biopsy.
The Prostate Cancer Program offers these leading treatments for curing or relieving symptoms of prostate cancer:
- Radiation Therapy — External beam radiotherapy, including 3D conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, and image-guided radiation therapy; and brachytherapy via high dose rate or radioactive seed implantation.
- Surgery — The most common procedure is radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate and some surrounding tissue).
- Chemotherapy — Medicines that kill or halt the growth of cancer cells. This approach generally is used to relieve symptoms and prolong survival when the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
Some patients may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial in which they receive an emerging prostate cancer treatment before it becomes publicly available.
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For more information about CentraState's Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Program, call (866) CENTRA7. (866-236-8727)
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