Skip Navigation
Book Now! Find care near you Find care near you Find care near you
wellstar-logo
Wellstar Go Back
Go to MyChart

Questions? We can help!

Call (770) 956-STAR (7827)

Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 4:30 PM

Contact Us
For Patients & Families For the Community For Providers About Us Careers
  • Start Your Care

  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Location
  • Our Services
  • Virtual Visits
  • Planning

  • Accepted Insurance
  • Financial Assistance
  • Pricing Information
  • Before Your Visit

  • Sign Up for MyChart
  • Visitation Guidelines
  • Know Where to Go
  • While You're Here

  • Support & Entertainment
  • Join an Event
  • After Your Visit

  • Pay Your Bill
  • Get Medical Records
  • Contact us
  • COVID-19 Support

  • COVID-19 Information
  • Vaccines
  • Testing Information
  • Visitation Updates
  • Foundation Relief
  • Community Health

  • In the Community
  • Health Highlights
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Latest News
  • Center for Health Equity
  • Events & Programs

  • Events Calendar
  • On-Demand Classes
  • Support Groups
  • Give

  • Wellstar Foundation
  • Donate
  • Ways to Give
  • Thank a Caregiver
  • West Georgia
    Health Foundation
  • Volunteer

  • For Adults
  • Care

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Cures Act
  • Refer a Patient
  • Lab Test Directory
  • Request to Conduct Research
  • Connect

  • Physician Relations
  • Request Imaging Services
  • Wellstar Clinical Partners
  • Wellstar Medical Group
  • Mayo Clinic Care Network
  • Medical Staff Services Credentialing
  • Provider Recruitment
  • Log In

  • EpicCare Link
  • Lawson Connect
  • MyID Password Reset
  • Citrix Access
  • Leadership

  • Authority Board
  • Board Of Trustees
  • Foundation Board
  • Regional Health Boards
  • Executive Leadership
  • Awards, Recognition & Safety

  • Accreditation & Certifications
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Safety First Program
  • Nursing
  • Careers at Wellstar

  • Apply now
  • Upcoming virtual events
  • Why Wellstar?
  • Nursing Careers

  • Nursing (Direct Care)
  • Nursing Leadership
  • Nursing (Non-bedside)
  • Nursing Support
  • Physician, APP & Clinical Careers

  • Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)
  • Allied Health Professionals
  • Homecare & Hospice
  • Physicians
  • Support Team Careers

  • Administrative & Clerical
  • Coding, Compliance & HIM Systems
  • Facility, Environmental & Nutrition/Food Services
  • Information Technology & Systems
  • For Patients & Families
  • For the Community
  • For Providers
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Search Search Search
  • MyChart MyChart MyChart

Start Your Care

Find a DoctorFind a LocationOur ServicesVirtual Visits

Planning

Accepted InsuranceFinancial AssistancePricing Information

Before Your Visit

Sign Up for MyChartVisitation GuidelinesKnow Where to Go

While You're Here

Support & EntertainmentJoin an Event

After Your Visit

Pay Your BillGet Medical RecordsContact us

COVID-19 Support

COVID-19 InformationVaccinesTesting InformationVisitation UpdatesFoundation Relief

Community Health

In the CommunityHealth HighlightsCommunity Health Needs AssessmentLatest NewsCenter for Health Equity

Events & Programs

Events CalendarOn-Demand ClassesSupport Groups

Give

Wellstar FoundationDonateWays to GiveThank a CaregiverWest Georgia
Health Foundation

Volunteer

For Adults

Care

Transfer a PatientCures ActRefer a PatientLab Test DirectoryRequest to Conduct Research

Connect

Physician RelationsRequest Imaging ServicesWellstar Clinical PartnersWellstar Medical GroupMayo Clinic Care NetworkMedical Staff Services CredentialingProvider Recruitment

Log In

EpicCare LinkLawson ConnectMyID Password ResetCitrix Access
About Wellstar

Our patients are the center of everything we do. We're nationally ranked and locally recognized for our high-quality care, inclusive culture, exceptional doctors and caregivers, and one of the largest and most integrated healthcare systems in Georgia.

About Us

Leadership

Authority BoardBoard Of TrusteesFoundation BoardRegional Health BoardsExecutive Leadership

Awards, Recognition & Safety

Accreditation & CertificationsAwards & RecognitionSafety First ProgramNursing

Careers at Wellstar

Apply nowUpcoming virtual eventsWhy Wellstar?

Nursing Careers

Nursing (Direct Care)Nursing LeadershipNursing (Non-bedside)Nursing Support

Physician, APP & Clinical Careers

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)Allied Health ProfessionalsHomecare & HospicePhysicians

Support Team Careers

Administrative & ClericalCoding, Compliance & HIM SystemsFacility, Environmental & Nutrition/Food ServicesInformation Technology & Systems
Questions? We can help!

Call (770) 956-STAR (7827)

Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 4:30 PM

Contact Us
Close
  • Urgent Care
  • Primary Care
  • Virtual Care
  • Emergency Care
Close Close Close Book Now Menu
  • Urgent Care
  • Primary Care
  • Virtual Care
  • Emergency Care

Introducing

Wellstar Virtual Care

Access Wellstar healthcare providers
wherever you are.

Get started

Warning Warning Our "Book Now" feature should not be used for life threatening conditions such as heart attack, severe injury, poisoning, chest pain, or stroke. If you are experiencing such conditions, STOP and CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or visit your nearest Emergency Department.

I Understand
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Did You Know Prostate Cancer Screening Has Changed? Find Out Why It’s Better Now.
Article Category: Highlights

Did You Know Prostate Cancer Screening Has Changed? Find Out Why It’s Better Now.

And why it’s time to have a conversation with your doctor.

Published on September 21, 2022

Last updated 01:15 PM August 31, 2023

Illustration of scoreboard in stadium. Text reads "Hey man, know your stats, PSA < 4.0"

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. According to projections by the American Cancer Society, there will be twice as many new prostate cancer cases diagnosed as lung cancer this year.

“The prevalence of the disease cannot be ignored,” said Wellstar Health System Chief of Primary Care and Medicine Service Line Dr. Jeffrey Tharp, a primary care physician. “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

Chief of Primary Care and Medicine Service Line, 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.

 
 

Tags

Jeffrey Lanier Tharp Olusola Obayomi-Davies Cancer Care
Primary Care Mens Health
Related Articles
Illustration of person eating salad

Highlights

Six Steps to Reduce Your Cancer Risk

By Wellstar Urologist Dr. Beau Dusseault

When seeking medical advice, many people turn to the internet. This wealth of information can be very helpful in uncovering the cause of common symptoms and providing general health tips. In fact, patients play an essential role on their healthcare team. However, many people fall into the online vortex of diets and vitamins while leaving the low-hanging fruit on the vine. 

Here are six quick tips to reduce your risk of cancer:

  1. Prioritize sleep. Sleep deprivation can have a devastating effect on the immune system. A good night’s sleep will boost the body’s best defense against cancer. 
  2. Don’t smoke. Smoking is not only the cause of innumerable cancers, but it also blunts immune system function. 
  3. Exercise. Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of many cancers, including prostate cancer. Simply walking has a significant impact, but variety is even better. 
  4. Eat a balanced diet. No supplement can replace a sensible diet. 
  5. Control blood sugar levels. Diabetes and insulin resistance are linked to higher risks of cancer. 
  6. Reduce stress. Take time to relieve the cumulative stressors of daily life by focusing on time management, task delegation and relationship building.

Whatever is good for the immune system is bad for cancer. Lifestyle choices are the foundation for any cancer prevention program. And the internet would agree—just in case you want a second opinion.

Wellstar offers screenings and care for several types of cancer, and our urologists are experts in prostate cancer care. With a simple blood test, we can screen for prostate cancer. Learn more about prostate cancer screening.

Keep reading
Greg Rodgers with his wife ringing the cancer bell

PeopleCare

GregCare

Picture a big swath of land out in West Georgia. It’s a little wild and a little cultivated, but it’s well cared for thanks to the Rodgers.

“My wife and I are blessed to live on this land,” Greg Rodgers said. “God instructs us to be good stewards of the land and we are dedicated to doing just that. We’re always mowing, planting and tending to fallen trees.”

Photo collage of Greg Rodgers on a tractor and his land

Much like their acreage, Greg sees his body as something that deserves to be maintained with care. And he’s an advocate that other men do the same. Seeing a doctor regularly and getting screened can help identify conditions earlier so they’re more treatable. Greg learned that from his personal experience with prostate cancer, and the team at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center who helped him overcome it.

“It’s not so much my story as the story of the professionals at Wellstar—they’re tremendous people,” he said.

The right tests for an accurate diagnosis

Prostate health is not something to ignore. Greg understands this now after a routine PSA test—a simple blood test—came back abnormal in 2020. When PSA levels are checked regularly and rise over time, they can be a sign of prostate cancer.

Because of his elevated PSA, Greg began monitoring his prostate health and eventually, connected with Wellstar Urologist Dr. Richard Jadick in LaGrange. Dr. Jadick performed a UroNav fusion biopsy to investigate his climbing PSA. During the procedure, an MRI helps accurately target the biopsy location. This biopsy has a low false negative rate, meaning the results are more trustworthy than in the past. Greg’s results came back positive for prostate cancer.

Pursuing personalized, expert care

Because every case of prostate cancer is different, there are a range of options for treating it, from active surveillance (monitoring with imaging) to advanced treatments like robotic surgery and targeted radiation therapy that have fewer side effects than traditional treatments. 

Greg and Dr. Jadick discussed several options, but before Greg made any decisions, Dr. Jadick recommended he see Dr. Robert Taylor, a Wellstar radiation oncologist. 

Greg remembers having reservations about radiation therapy. But once he arrived for the appointment, he felt immediately at ease. “Dr. Taylor is a quiet, confident person with a kind smile,” he said. “He was really good at explaining everything, going through studies and the different procedures. He’s so methodical, so good at answering questions and so patient.”

The option they settled on was a high dose of targeted radiation aimed at the prostate during a shorter treatment course (20 days versus 44). A newer technology called SpaceOAR Hydrogel would separate the rectum from the prostate during treatment, preventing unnecessary radiation exposure—and side effects.

“When it comes to choosing the right treatment, everything is a balance between the risk level and a variety of other personal factors,” Dr. Taylor said. “We want to provide treatment that is the least disruptive and most effective.”

To be sure this was the best plan for Greg, Dr. Taylor requested a second opinion from Mayo Clinic. Wellstar experts have a direct connection to Mayo Clinic specialists through its Mayo Clinic Care Network membership. Wellstar physicians and patients can access eConsults—virtual second opinions—at no additional cost to patients.

Some additional imaging was recommended, which validated Dr. Taylor’s treatment plan. Greg moved forward with his cancer treatment with pure confidence.

Keep reading
Illustration of group of women, thought bubbles and question marks

Highlights

What Women Should Know About Prostate Cancer

By Wellstar Urologist Dr. Reena Kabaria

Most women don’t spend much time thinking about prostate cancer until someone they know is touched by this disease. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of cancer death in men. If a woman’s loved one is diagnosed with prostate cancer, here is some guidance she can use to stay informed and support them throughout their cancer care.

What is the prostate gland? 

The prostate is an organ tucked away under a man’s bladder. The sole purpose of the prostate is to produce the fluid needed for reproduction. Although the prostate serves no other role, it is surrounded by several delicate structures responsible for urinary and other sexual functions. 

Detecting and treating prostate cancer

Fortunately, recent advances in the treatment of prostate cancer usually allow men to keep sexual and urinary functions intact. In fact, early detection not only increases the likelihood of cure, but also minimizes the chances for side effects. At the most curable stage, prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms. Therefore, men aged 40 and above should ask their doctor when they should have a screening PSA blood test based on their individual needs and risks.

Many men with a new diagnosis have such a slow-growing form of prostate cancer that it can merely be observed over time. When exploring different treatment options, it's recommended that patients consult with both a urologist and a radiation oncologist. 

Wellstar surrounds patients with compassionate care. Nurse navigators provide a highly personalized level of support and guidance throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. We also offer support groups if patients want to meet others who are dealing with the same diagnosis. While a cancer diagnosis is often upsetting and overwhelming for both patients and the people they love, our team stands with patients and families at every step. 

Learn more about prostate cancer care at Wellstar. 

Keep reading
Back to Top
Branding illustration
Wellstar Logo
More than healthcare. PeopleCare.
Branding illustration
For Job Seekers & Team
Careers Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Onboarding
For Students
Students Portal
Graduate Medical Education
Medical Residency Pharmacy Residency
For Business
Occupational Medicine Corporate Purchasing
For the Media
Media Room Community Health Needs Assessment
Help
Contact Us Pay Your Bill Policy & Privacy Information Hospital Transparency Information
For Job Seekers & Team
Careers Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Onboarding
For Students
Students Portal

Graduate Medical Education
Medical Residency Pharmacy Residency
For Business
Occupational Medicine Corporate Purchasing
For the Media
Media Room Community Health Needs Assessment
Help
Contact Us Pay Your Bill Policy & Privacy Information Hospital Transparency Information

Copyright © 2023 Wellstar Health System. All Rights Reserved.

Wellstar does not discriminate on, exclude people or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression or any other type of discrimination prohibited by law.