Six Steps to Reduce Your Cancer Risk

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

The cancer care experts at Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers at Wellstar Cherokee Health Park are dedicated to patient-centered care that’s tailored to every patient, every time. We have expanded our services and space to invest in the health of our community in Cherokee and the surrounding areas.

Our facility now has tripled patient exam rooms and quadrupled infusion recliners to facilitate complex treatment that is requested by our cancer patients. We’ve also added support services, including an onsite compounding pharmacy and a clinical pharmacist available to help answer any questions.

Our leaders, researchers and innovators collaborate with specialists and care team members to create treatment plans for optimal clinical outcomes. 

Our services include:

• Medical oncology with partners in care Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers
• Outpatient infusion
• Pharmacy services including a compounding pharmacy for patient treatment needs, as well as on-site patient medication pick-up for oral chemotherapy
• Resources for patient education with a clinical pharmacist and nurse
• Support services including nurse navigators, dietitians, social workers and genetic counselors

Whole patient care

“At Wellstar, our patients have the support they need at every step of their cancer care journey,” said Wellstar Hematologist and Oncologist Dr. Madhurima Uppalapati. “Our team provides expert care for every aspect of the patient’s well-being and personalizes care to each patient’s needs.”

Support services include nurse navigators, who are registered nurses specially trained in cancer care who bring a highly personalized level of guidance and support to each patient and their family. Other members of our cancer care team include dietitians, social workers and genetic counselors. 

To schedule a cancer care appointment at Wellstar Cherokee Health Park, call (470) 267-0230. 

At Wellstar, every patient’s care plan is tailored to their needs. When it comes to head and neck cancers, a team of expert specialists form an interdisciplinary care team that supports the patient and their family through the whole treatment process.

In Wellstar STAT Clinics—short for Specialty Teams and Treatments—patients can see multiple cancer specialists to be diagnosed, have questions answered and finalize a treatment plan in a single day at one location. This reduces the need to drive to different locations and helps the patient start treatment faster.

“The concept of multidisciplinary care is tried and true and shown to be effective for cancer patients,” said Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, a Wellstar head and neck cancer surgeon. “This model decreases the time to proceed with and receive care.”

First, a team of medical experts, including a head and neck cancer surgeon and facial plastic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a pathologist and a neuroradiologist, review the patient’s pathology and imaging as a group to diagnose, stage and create a personalized treatment plan.

Next, the patient and their family meet with the experts. This is an opportunity for the patient to learn about the recommended treatments and ask questions.

“Traditionally, patients must drive to several different appointments to learn the stage of their cancer, meet with different specialists and make decisions,” said Wellstar Medical Oncologist Dr. Nagender Mankan. “At that point, four to five weeks have gone by. In STAT Clinics, we are expediting the complicated decision-making process.”

The patient also meets with a nurse navigator. This specialized nurse helps coordinate many aspects of care for the patient including scheduling appointments and connecting patients with support team members, such as a registered dietitian, a speech therapist or a dentist who may help relieve irritation in the mouth and throat.

While Wellstar is well-equipped to help you fight head and neck cancers, there are steps you can take to prevent cancer from forming, including limiting exposure to the sun and cutting out tobacco and alcohol. Your Wellstar care team can work with you on a plan to keep your head and neck healthy and set achievable goals to prevent cancer.

Learn more about head and neck cancer care at Wellstar.