It’s one of the most common cancers in men. When it’s discovered early, prostate cancer can be treated successfully – if it needs treatment at all.
Apart from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. With regular screening, it’s usually found before it spreads to other parts of the body. That’s good news, because cancer that hasn’t spread or “metastasized” is easier to treat and easier to cure.
Not every man with prostate cancer needs to be treated right away. In many cases, early-stage prostate cancer will not spread or cause any problems or side effects for a long time, if ever, so your doctor may suggest active surveillance – where you watch the cancer closely instead of treating it.
If prostate cancer ever does become a problem – or if it metastasizes – you have the depth and breadth of the INTEGRIS Health and the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute behind you, with the region’s foremost collection of physicians, specialists and therapies, like one of only a handful of Proton Therapy centers in the country. We’re here for you every step of the way, from the first diagnosis and staging to treatment and even beyond – with rehabilitation designed specifically for cancer survivors.
Prostate cancer treatment used to mean dozens of appointments at different facilities with multiple specialists, but with our Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic, the process is streamlined. We gather our physicians and specialists in one room to decide the best course of treatment for you. That means the time you have to spend between diagnosis and treatment is dramatically reduced. We know this can be a challenging time, so please ask your physician about any concerns or questions you might have.
Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that is more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:
Whether to test healthy men with no symptoms for prostate cancer is controversial. In addition to regular physical examinations that may include blood, urine, and possibly other laboratory tests, many groups, such as the American Cancer Society, suggest talking to your doctor to learn more about the pros and cons of screening for prostate cancer to help you decide if it is right for you. Prostate screening and diagnosis tests might include:
Your prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast your cancer is growing, how much it has spread and your overall health, as well as the benefits and the potential side effects of the treatment. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:
At INTEGRIS, we offer a wide variety of support programs and services along with the Troy and Dollie Smith Wellness Center to help patients with breast cancer and their loved ones manage the physical and emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Support services for prostate cancer include:
