Screening & Early Detection

Early detection of prostate cancer improves your long-term outcome. But early-stage cancer has few symptoms, so men should get routine prostate screenings starting at age 50. Your primary care provider or a specialist in urology may use one or both of these screening tests:

  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test – Measure the PSA level in your blood to detect elevated levels, which can mean there’s a prostate problem
  • Digital rectal exam – Manually checks for abnormal prostate growth or enlargement

If your screening shows something unusual, you may need imaging tests and a biopsy, which removes a sample of cells to examine in a lab. Prostate cancer is very treatable when found early.

Compassionate Cancer Care Team

You and your family will appreciate the compassion and knowledge of your AnMed cancer care team. Our goal is the same as yours—to make sure you achieve the best possible outcome. A dedicated nurse navigator will be your go-to resource throughout prostate cancer treatment.

Staging

If you receive a cancer diagnosis, your doctors will stage it (determine how advanced it is). Treatment recommendations depend on the stage of the cancer.

Watchful Waiting

If your prostate cancer is slow-growing and unlikely to spread, your cancer doctors may recommend watchful waiting. Your urologist will closely monitor your prostate cancer through regular screenings and blood tests, but will not take immediate action unless it begins to grow.

Your Treatment Plan 

If your doctor recommends treating your prostate cancer, our care team will recommend a custom care plan based on:

  • Your age and life expectancy
  • How advanced your cancer is
  • Overall health
  • Possible treatment side effects

Prostate Cancer Treatments

You’ll find a wide range of cancer treatments at AnMed, including:

  • Hormone therapy to starve aggressive tumors of the hormones they need to grow
  • Chemotherapy to kill rapidly growing cancer cells outside of the prostate gland if hormone therapy does not work
  • Immunotherapy that leverages your body’s immune system to combat cancer
  • Radiation therapy that uses targeted energy beams to destroy prostate cancer cells
    • SpaceOAR® – Injects an absorbable, soft gel between the prostate and the rectum to protect healthy tissue from radiation and prevent side effects
  • Surgery to remove tumors and nearby tissue or lymph nodes where cancer has spread
    • Prostatectomy – Removes the entire prostate, sometimes using a robotic-assisted surgery system that makes treatment less invasive, leading to a faster recovery 

Your care team may use more than one treatment to ensure no cancer cells are left behind. You may also qualify for a clinical trial that tests promising new treatments before they’re widely available.

Support During Cancer Care

We go beyond treating your cancer. We also provide a wealth of support services to help you and your loved ones feel empowered, encouraged and informed throughout your journey.

Genetic Counseling

Some prostate cancers may result from inherited genetic changes. So, your doctor may recommend genetic counseling after analyzing your prostate biopsy samples and risk factors. This service can help you and your family members determine your inherited risk of prostate cancer.