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Article Category: Highlights

Make Prostate Health Your Habit

Published on September 03, 2024

Last updated 10:08 AM September 03, 2024

Person in kayak

Quick history lesson: In the 1990s, U.S. doctors adopted the prostate-specific antigen test—or PSA—to identify prostate cancer early, when it’s more treatable. While the PSA helped more men get diagnosed, concern was raised over the risks versus benefits of biopsies, procedures and treatment. In response, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force gave a controversial recommendation against routine screening with PSA in 2012.

But with new evidence from a variety of credible studies, they changed their recommendation in 2017. The current Task Force recommendation focuses on men having a conversation with their doctors about their risk for prostate cancer and the risks and benefits of screening.

Why did the guidelines change?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in males after skin cancer. The American Cancer Society projects that there will be more than twice as many prostate cancer cases diagnosed in men as lung cancer this year.

“The prevalence of the disease cannot be ignored,” said Dr. Jeffrey Tharp, a primary care physician and chief medicine division officer for Wellstar Medical Group. “Early-stage prostate cancer has higher survivability than prostate cancer diagnosed in later stages.”

Dr. Tharp pointed out that while guidelines have changed, so have the way doctors diagnose and treat prostate cancer. An elevated PSA does not automatically mean a cancer diagnosis. And when cancer is diagnosed, some care options have no side effects.

Read on to learn:

  • Who should have a conversation with their doctor about prostate cancer screening, and when
  • Who is at higher risk
  • How the reason that’s holding some men back has changed
  • What is a PSA and why having them at regular intervals is important
  • Care options for prostate cancer

Some men have anxiety about what the treatment would be and the long-term effects of treatment. We have active surveillance and other means of preserving bodily function, especially when we find prostate cancer in the earlier stages.

- Dr. Jeffrey Tharp

Wellstar Primary Care Physician

Who should discuss prostate cancer screening—and when

If you have a prostate, you should discuss whether screening is right for you with your primary care doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant:

  • Starting at 40 if…you have a strong family history of prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine, colon and pancreatic cancer as well as melanoma—particularly if they were early onset or you have a known family history of carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
  • Starting at 45 if…you’re a Black man, meaning you carry twice the risk of dying from prostate cancer 
  • Starting at 50 if…you have a typical risk level 

Is fear stopping you? 

“Some men have anxiety about what the treatment would be and the long-term effects of treatment,” said Dr. Tharp. 

But, he noted, treatment has changed a lot since the early 2000s.

“We have active surveillance and other means of preserving bodily function, especially when we find prostate cancer in the earlier stages,” he said. 

What exactly is a PSA?

A PSA test is a simple blood test you get at your doctor’s office.

The test measures the prostate-specific antigen, a substance in the body that is related to the presence of prostate cancer. However, a rise in PSA can also be caused by other factors such as recent sexual activity, exercise, prostate enlargement, age and infection.

“When someone has an elevated PSA for the first time, we put it in context,” Dr. Tharp said, indicating that doctors don’t automatically diagnose prostate cancer because of an elevated PSA. “A one-time PSA is important, but a trending PSA helps us see the bigger picture."

Once a PSA test result flags the possibility of cancer, primary care doctors typically refer patients to a urologist who specializes in prostate cancer treatment. 

Patients have a team helping them achieve their best outcome

At Wellstar, the patient’s doctors are part of a multidisciplinary prostate cancer care team at Wellstar who hold regular conferences dedicated to diagnosing, staging and planning care together so patients have the best outcomes. The prostate cancer team includes urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, primary care physicians and nurse navigators.  

“Once a man has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, our experienced physicians, navigators and nurses help him navigate the decision-making process around prostate cancer treatment,” said Dr. Olusola Davies, Wellstar radiation oncologist.

Because of the variety of prostate cancer types, how quickly their prostate cancer grows and other individual factors, each person’s treatment is tailored to them. Care plans may include active surveillance, prostate cancer surgery or radiation therapy.

“It’s important to give men time to absorb the information coming from the treatment team, ask questions and review things they might not be sure about,” Dr. Davies said.

Good news: newer treatments eliminate or reduce side effects

Many men with low-grade, early-stage prostate cancer choose to follow a treatment plan of active surveillance using a guideline-based protocol with their Wellstar physician. This option reduces unnecessary side effects from therapy and improves their quality of life.

In fact, more than 70% of Wellstar patients diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer opt for active surveillance.

Various types of prostate cancer surgery, including minimally invasive robotic procedures, have the potential to spare nerves and preserve sexual function. And newer radiation therapies reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue.

“Patient outcomes have been very good at Wellstar, and we have a well-coordinated interdisciplinary team to care for our patients,” said Dr. Tharp.

Make an appointment with your doctor today to discuss if the time is right to start screening for prostate cancer.

Who should discuss prostate cancer screening—and when

If you have a prostate, you should discuss whether screening is right for you with your primary care doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant:

  • Starting at 40 if…you have a strong family history of prostate, breast, ovarian, uterine, colon and pancreatic cancer as well as melanoma—particularly if they were early onset or you have a known family history of carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
  • Starting at 45 if…you’re a Black man, meaning you carry twice the risk of dying from prostate cancer 
  • Starting at 50 if…you have a typical risk level 

Is fear stopping you? 

“Some men have anxiety about what the treatment would be and the long-term effects of treatment,” said Dr. Tharp. 

But, he noted, treatment has changed a lot since the early 2000s.

“We have active surveillance and other means of preserving bodily function, especially when we find prostate cancer in the earlier stages,” he said. 

What exactly is a PSA?

A PSA test is a simple blood test you get at your doctor’s office.

The test measures the prostate-specific antigen, a substance in the body that is related to the presence of prostate cancer. However, a rise in PSA can also be caused by other factors such as recent sexual activity, exercise, prostate enlargement, age and infection.

“When someone has an elevated PSA for the first time, we put it in context,” Dr. Tharp said, indicating that doctors don’t automatically diagnose prostate cancer because of an elevated PSA. “A one-time PSA is important, but a trending PSA helps us see the bigger picture."

Once a PSA test result flags the possibility of cancer, primary care doctors typically refer patients to a urologist who specializes in prostate cancer treatment. 

Patients have a team helping them achieve their best outcome

At Wellstar, the patient’s doctors are part of a multidisciplinary prostate cancer care team at Wellstar who hold regular conferences dedicated to diagnosing, staging and planning care together so patients have the best outcomes. The prostate cancer team includes urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, primary care physicians and nurse navigators.  

“Once a man has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, our experienced physicians, navigators and nurses help him navigate the decision-making process around prostate cancer treatment,” said Dr. Olusola Davies, Wellstar radiation oncologist.

Because of the variety of prostate cancer types, how quickly their prostate cancer grows and other individual factors, each person’s treatment is tailored to them. Care plans may include active surveillance, prostate cancer surgery or radiation therapy.

“It’s important to give men time to absorb the information coming from the treatment team, ask questions and review things they might not be sure about,” Dr. Davies said.

Good news: newer treatments eliminate or reduce side effects

Many men with low-grade, early-stage prostate cancer choose to follow a treatment plan of active surveillance using a guideline-based protocol with their Wellstar physician. This option reduces unnecessary side effects from therapy and improves their quality of life.

In fact, more than 70% of Wellstar patients diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer opt for active surveillance.

Various types of prostate cancer surgery, including minimally invasive robotic procedures, have the potential to spare nerves and preserve sexual function. And newer radiation therapies reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue.

“Patient outcomes have been very good at Wellstar, and we have a well-coordinated interdisciplinary team to care for our patients,” said Dr. Tharp.

Make an appointment with your doctor today to discuss if the time is right to start screening for prostate cancer.

Tags

Jeffrey Lanier Tharp Olusola Obayomi-Davies Cancer Care
Primary Care Mens Health
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Commemorate Cancer Survivors Day with Wellstar

Wellstar supports people with cancer throughout their journeys, from early screenings to diagnosis to treatment. But our encouragement and dedication to delivering world-class, compassionate care doesn’t end in remission.

Across our system, Wellstar honors the bravery and strength of survivors every day, rejoicing in each milestone. This National Cancer Survivors Day, June 1, 2025, we are proud to pay tribute to the people who have conquered cancer and offer hope to those still fighting. This year’s Cancer Survivors Day theme—Strike Out Cancer—exemplifies our commitment to being a steadfast source of encouragement for cancer survivors and fighters across Georgia.

“On Cancer Survivors Day, we reflect on our patients’ journeys and cherish victories over cancer. We also offer compassion and support for people currently fighting cancer, so they and their loved ones know they’re not alone,” said Wellstar Director of Oncology Professional Practices Melissa Higdon.

Several Wellstar facilities will host events—and you can be a part of the celebration!

 

Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers in Cartersville
June 5, 2025
10 AM to 3 PM
100 Market Place Blvd., Cartersville
Contact Mary Ellen Smither at [email protected] or (678) 858-1146.

Wellstar Cobb Medical Center
May 30, 2025
12 to 2 PM     
4040 Hospital West Drive, Austell
Behind the building in the garden and parking lot area
Contact Ashley Dapremont at [email protected] or (470) 732-4523.

Wellstar Douglas Medical Center
June 7, 2025
11 AM to 2 PM
8954 Hospital Drive, Douglasville
Surgical services lobby
Contact Diane Harris at [email protected] or (470) 644-5411.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
June 7, 2025
11 AM to 2 PM
320 Kennestone Hospital Blvd., Marietta
First floor
Required RSVP, contact Nancy Page at [email protected] or (470) 793-7470.

Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center
June 1, 2025
2 to 4 PM
3000 Hospital Blvd., Roswell
Main lobby in hospital
Contact Sarah Bentley at [email protected] or (770) 751-2556.

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
June 1, 2025
144 Bill Carruth Parkway, Hiram
Second floor auditorium
Contact Kellie Mitchell at [email protected] or (470) 644-8106.

Wellstar Spalding Medical Center
May 28, 2025
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Drive-thru event
608 South 8th St., Griffin
Women’s Center
Contact Sherry Connell at [email protected] or (470) 935-5526.

Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
June 6, 2025
10 AM to 12 PM
111 Medical Drive, LaGrange
Enoch Callaway Cancer Center
Contact Stephanie Hand at [email protected].

Learn more about cancer care at Wellstar.

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To achieve voluntary NAPRC accreditation, a rectal center must demonstrate compliance with the NAPRC standards addressing program management, clinical services and quality improvement for patients. Centers are required to establish a multidisciplinary rectal cancer team that includes clinical representatives from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology.

At Wellstar, rectal cancer patients have a multidisciplinary team on their side through every step of treatment. Each patient works with a nurse navigator to schedule appointments with specialists. Patients meet with a medical oncologist, as well as a surgical oncologist or colorectal surgeon. Imaging and lab tests are reviewed by a multidisciplinary board of rectal cancer physicians, efficiently providing patients with input from several experts in cancer care. During the course of treatment, that multidisciplinary board will continue to follow the patient and discuss the best next steps, tailoring care to fit each patient’s individual needs.

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“Our patients are surrounded by a team of experienced rectal cancer experts who provide the highest level of personalized care,” said Wellstar Surgical Oncologist Dr. Sahir Shroff, who serves as the rectal cancer program chair.  “We are proud to be the first medical center in metro Atlanta to receive this important accreditation. Our pioneering efforts to adhere to the most rigorous standards and combine the latest technologies and techniques help us achieve excellence in rectal cancer care for our patients.”

Accreditation by the NAPRC is granted only to those programs that are committed to providing the best possible care to patients with rectal cancer. The NAPRC provides the structure and resources to develop and operate a high-quality rectal center. Accredited programs follow a model for organizing and managing a rectal center to ensure multidisciplinary, integrated, comprehensive rectal cancer services. Wellstar Kennestone earned its first accreditation in 2022.

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