Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, right behind skin cancer. Approximately 1.3 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and one in seven will be impacted in some way by it in their lifetime. Even though prostate cancer is quite common among men, there is still a lot we don’t understand about the disease.
Physician Assistant Abby Wookey from the Prairie Lakes Urology Clinic answered some frequently asked questions from patients about prostate cancer.
Q: What is the best way to detect prostate cancer?
A: Prostate cancer is typically detected initially through screening with a blood test called a PSA. This test is very good at detecting prostate cancer but is not specific to only cancer and can be elevated in other conditions. Therefore, further testing is needed to make a diagnosis. Some additional tests that may be used as part of the evaluation are digital rectal exam, MRI, or other biomarker tests.
Q: Why is it important to detect prostate cancer as early as possible?
A: It is important to detect prostate cancer as early as possible to allow for the best chance of effective treatment and, ideally, cure of the cancer. Cancer that is not detected early can spread to areas outside of the prostate and is then no longer curable, though is still very treatable.
Q: Are there any common symptoms of prostate cancer?
A: Early stages of prostate cancer do not usually display any symptoms. If the cancer progresses, it may lead to symptoms such as difficulty urinating or weak stream, frequent urination, or burning with urination (non-cancerous conditions like prostatitis and BPH may also cause these symptoms). Later stages may also cause pain, blood in the urine, or weight loss.
Q: When should somebody call a Urologist?
A: A patient should consult with a urologist if they are having urinary symptoms, such as difficulty urinating, weak stream, blood in the urine, frequent urination, or pain with urination. They should also be seen if they have had an abnormal screening test, such as an elevated PSA result or abnormal digital rectal exam.
Q: What is the common procedure to detect prostate cancer?
A: The procedure used to diagnose prostate cancer is called a prostate biopsy. This means taking tissue samples of the prostate which are then examined under a microscope to detect cancer cells. This is an outpatient procedure that can be done in the clinic with local anesthesia or in the operating room under light sedation. Results (pathology) are typically back within 1-2 weeks or less.
Q: What are the current recommendations for prostate cancer screenings? Age? How often? Are some people more at-risk?
A: Prostate cancer screening guidelines have varied, and screening may not be right for everyone, but you should begin discussing screening with your primary care provider beginning at age 45-50. Screening should continue every 1-2 years until age 70. Some people are higher risk, including African Americans or those with a family history of prostate cancer, and they may begin screening as early as age 40.
Q: What is the common treatment plan(s) for prostate cancer?
A: Treatment options for prostate cancer can include surgery (prostatectomy), radiation, or medical therapies such as hormonal therapy or chemotherapy.
If you or a loved one have concerns about urological health or prostate cancer specifically, make an appointment today with the Prairie Lakes Urology Clinic by calling 605-882-7777. No referral is necessary.
Abby Wookey, PA-C