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Prostate Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. About 1,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in West Virginia in 2019. There will also be about 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed and about 31,620 deaths from prostate cancer in the United States during the year 2019. There are several risk factors associated with prostate cancer, including family history, race, and diet, but the most common factor is age. Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men. About six in ten cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 66.

While there are a lot of risk factors for prostate cancer, there are also good survival statistics associated with the disease. Survival rates for prostate cancer are very high. More than 2.9 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.

Prostate Cancer Early Detection

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that men have a chance to make an informed decision with their health care provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer. The decision should be made after getting information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening. Men should not be screened unless they have received this information. Men who want to be screened should be tested with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

American Cancer Society
Recommended Prostate Cancer Screening Times

– Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.
– Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
– Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).

How Our Team Treats Prostate Cancer

At Radiation Oncology Services at Charleston Area Medical Center, radiation therapy is used to treat prostate cancer painlessly and noninvasively. Radiation therapy serves as an effective treatment for prostate cancer because it works within cancer cells to damage their ability to multiply and spread. During treatment, high-energy X-rays are delivered to the prostate cancer safely and effectively. Side effects are usually minimal, and most patients return to their normal activities following each treatment.

Radiation Oncology Services at CAMC’s Advantage

  • Painless treatment
  • Few to no side effects
  • Noninvasive
  • Outpatient procedure lasting 10-15 minutes daily
  • Minimal to no recovery time
  • Return to your normal activities following treatment

Speak with one of our dedicated Team Members about how we can help today.