Are You Ready to Take Charge of Your Prostate Health?

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. 

By Wellstar Urologist Dr. Justin Watson

Many men are reluctant to seek diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer because they fear the effects of treatment on their urinary and sexual function. Enter modern technology. MRI scans, PET scans and molecular testing of blood and tissue samples not only help physicians know how and where to treat, but also identify those who may not need any treatment.

Having a PSA blood test is usually the first step in detecting prostate cancer. Now, modern MRI scans can help the urologist target abnormal areas for biopsy, like how a GPS pinpoints a destination. With this technique, patients can be more confident that the biopsy samples accurately represent their condition. In fact, this confidence has allowed men with slow-growing forms of prostate cancer to observe their condition rather than immediately pursue treatment. Since the formation of cancer cells all starts with changes in a cell’s genetic material, specialized testing of the biopsy sample can help further define the behavior of an individual’s prostate cancer.

When treatment for prostate cancer is needed, the latest methods bring next-level precision to protect the delicate nerves and muscles surrounding the prostate. Now in its second decade as a standard treatment for prostate cancer, robotic prostate removal continues to break barriers with new instrumentation, refined techniques and artificial intelligence. Not only do these advancements speed up recovery, but they also facilitate less traumatic access to spaces that were previously very difficult to reach. Similarly, the latest radiation therapy techniques allow delivery of a thin beam to the prostate.  

For more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, the latest type of PET scan can identify the cancer in other locations. First, a radiotracer (slightly radioactive substance) is injected into a vein, and it binds to prostate cancer cells, wherever they may be hiding. Then the resulting X-ray images are superimposed onto a CT scan to highlight any areas of suspicion. We can now attach medications to this radiotracer to attack and kill remote prostate cancer cells like a guided missile. 

With these recent advancements in technology, the management of prostate cancer continues to be more effective and gentler for the modern man. One can only imagine what’s on the horizon. 

Find a Wellstar urologist near you.