Prostate cancer: Regular check-ups will save you

If cancer is detected in the early stages, there are better chances for successful and effective treatments. If the treatments work, life expectancy can be anticipated to increase. Even though most know that early detection is the best prevention for cancer, a lot of men tend to avoid making an appointment for a prostate exam with their urologists.

Men tend to be anxious and nervous about getting a prostate exam done. They must understand that itis important to have regular visits to theirdoctor or urologist to find prostate cancer early, if it exists.

The survival rates of early detected prostate cancer are around 98%. If the cancer is detected at a late stage, the chances drop down to 26%.

Gentlemen, here’s what you need to know and need to do

Prostate Exam

After the age of 40, men should make it a priority to makearegularappointments to visit to theirurologist. These appointments will help them not only detect early signs of prostate cancer but also any other kidney-related conditions. An urologist can also treat problems such as erectile dysfunction, frequent urination or enlarged prostate.

Although a prostate exam can make some men uncomfortable, it is worth it,especially if those few minutes of uneasiness and awkwardness catch any early signs of prostate cancer.

Aside from regular check-ups with your urologist, you should also be aware and identify symptoms that could lead to a prostate problem. Symptoms such as stiffness and pain in hips or back, urine with blood, sexual dysfunction or slow and painful urination are some symptoms that should not be ignored.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Chances of having prostate cancer increases if you have a family history of the disease.Be sure to provide your family history during your prostate exam. During your visit, a digital rectal exam will be performed to see if there are any hard areas or lumps in the prostate. A blood test will be taken to check for prostate-specific antigen levels. If any irregularity is found in the tests, a biopsy or ultrasound will be done for further investigation.

Treatment Options

If you are found to have prostate cancer, you will need to work with your doctor to choose the treatment option that will work best for you based on the cancer level. Prostate Seed Therapy, Chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiationtherapy are some of the treatments for prostate cancer. In some cases, it might be necessary for surgery where the prostate is removed.

About AuthorDr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed impla