It is estimated one in six men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. Fortunately, with early detection and the many new options available for the treatment of prostate cancer, the five-year survival rate is at 99 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, following skin cancer, and it is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. In Arizona, approximately 4,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, yet the mortality rate associated with prostate cancer has decreased significantly over the past 10 years. Coconino County has the sixth-highest incidence rate of the 15 Arizona counties.
The prostate is gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is about the size of walnut and located just below the bladder. As men age, they have a greater risk of developing an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include frequent urination at night, straining to urinate, a weak urine stream or a sensation that the bladder has not completely emptied.
Men between the ages of 50 and 79 years and/or men over the age of 45 who have a family history of prostate cancer are recommended to receive annual prostate exams. African American men have the highest incidence for prostate cancer and are therefore highly recommended to be screened annually. Screenings can detect the disease in its early stages, allowing for better treatment options and longer survival rates with early diagnosis. A prostate screening is relatively simple and takes about 15 minutes with a primary care physician or urologist.
The screening involves a physical exam and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test which, when used together, can provide early diagnosis of any prostate abnormalities. The physical exam determines if the prostate gland is enlarged or hardened, which can sometimes indicate there is a problem. The PSA blood test is a good indicator as to whether the prostate gland is producing higher levels of protein, which can indicate that certain diseases of the prostate may be present.
The advancements in treatments and technology used to treat prostate cancer have improved a great deal in the past 10 years. The most common types of treatment for prostate cancer include surgical excision of the prostate gland, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, low-dose radiation seed implants or hormonal therapy.
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare ? Flagstaff Campus is sponsoring a free prostate screening to provide early detection. The screening is 4:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Cancer Center, 1200 N. Beaver St., on FMC?s West Campus. Screenings are by appointment and include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and physical examination by a physician. To schedule a prostate screening appointment, call 773-2261; walk-ins will be seen as time allows 5 ? 6:30 p.m.
There is no better time than now to take care of this quick and easy screening and avoid the complications associated with late-stage prostate cancer disease. For more information about prostate cancer or other cancers, contact the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare at (800) 854-7744, or visit CCNAH.com. The Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare, with campuses in Flagstaff and Sedona, is a non-profit cancer network devoted to impacting cancer in our communities through prevention, early detection and advanced treatment options.
Jeff Axtell, M.Ed., is the director of the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare. Is there a health topic you?d like to know more about? Please write to Mountain Medicine, c/o FMC Public Relations, 1200 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, or visit FMC?s website at FlagstaffMedicalCenter.com.
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Related Post for Sept. is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month ? Arizona Daily Sun
Source: http://allebiz.com/cancer-vaginal/sept-is-prostate-cancer-awareness-month-arizona-daily-sun.html
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