At Affiliated Urologists, we put a major emphasis on patient safety and efficacy. We take care of our patients as if they were family, which is why when it comes to treating serious health conditions like prostate cancer, we provide nothing but the best care throughout the patient’s difficult journey.
According to a recent report in the medical journal Cancer, men with life expectancies of less than 10 years who receive aggressive treatment for low-to-intermediate risk prostate cancer may be causing more harm to themselves physically and financially.
Side effects of aggressive treatments like radiation or chemotherapy for prostate cancer may include erectile dysfunction (ED), urinary incontinence (UI), and bowel problems. Medical guidelines generally discourage treatment like this for men with life expectancies less than 10 years, but many physicians may recommend it for patient peace of mind or because there is a lack of awareness in treatment decision-making.
Nevertheless, when it comes to diagnosing and treating prostate cancer, the team at Affiliated Urologists provides top-of-the-line comprehensive urological care with state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. If you’re experiencing difficulty urinating, frequent urination, painful urination, painful ejaculation, blood in urine or semen, you may want to see a specialist at Affiliated Urologists.
For those unfamiliar with the process, prostate cancer is usually diagnosed after a few tests are administered. Most prostate cancers can be found during a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and/or a digital rectal exam (DRE). Below you can review a break down of both tests:
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
A PSA blood test is usually administered to detect prostate cancer early in men who may or may not be showing common telltale signs. Men with PSA level under 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/mL) are considered health. If the level is below 4, there is still a chance of prostate cancer. According to cancer.org, 15% of men with a PSA under 4 have prostate cancer and it’s usually found during a biopsy test. Men with a PSA between 4 and 10 have a 1 in 4 chance of prostate cancer and levels over 10 increase a mans chance of prostate cancer by 50 percent. Your urologist will discuss your test results with you accordingly and discuss follow-up treatment options if prostate cancer is detected.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
A transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is a type of digital rectal exam that requires the physician to insert a small probe (typically the width of a finger) into the patient’s rectum. This unique device transmits sound waves into the prostate to create echoes and eventually create a image of the prostate. If the patient has a high PSA level, a TRUS is usually recommended. TRUS is also used during a prostate biopsy to guide the needle into the right place.
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
If prostate cancer has been confirmed after testing, your Affiliated Urologists physician willsuggest one or more of the following: surgery, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, vaccines, etc. The type of treatment depends on the patient’s situation. Talk to the specialists at Affiliated Urologists about any signs or symptoms you may be experiencing and getting tested.
Affiliated Urologists is an award-winning practice recognized both locally and nationally that has provided service to patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding communities in the Valley, for over 40 years. The physicians emphasize top-of-the-line comprehensive urological care and strive to deliver the highest outcomes for patient satisfaction. To make an appointment, call 602-264-0608 or visit http://affiliatedurologists.com/contact/ for instructions on scheduling an appointment.
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
