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About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Early detection through screening offers the widest array of treatment options, and a survival rate over 90%.
Even though it’s very common, more than 3.5 million men in the U.S. diagnosed with prostate cancer are alive today.
Prostate cancer develops when cells grow out of control in the prostate gland, a small organ just below the bladder. Its job is to produce fluids that help transport sperm during ejaculation and to metabolize hormones that fuel growth and development.
At MedStar Health, our teams of specialists provide multidisciplinary care with the most advanced treatments, helping many men move beyond prostate cancer. Improve your odds of a good outcome by learning about prostate cancer, assessing your personal risk, and getting screened when it’s time.
Prostate cancer risk factors and screening.
Prostate cancer is common, but not everyone has the same level of risk. Your personal risk could be higher or lower depending upon factors such as your:
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Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. It’s rare under age 40. About 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65.
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Your racial/ethnic background: African Americans or those who have African ancestry are more than 1.5 times as likely as their white counterparts to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and over twice as likely to die from it. Research indicates Latino and Asian men are less likely to be diagnosed than White men, but more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage.
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Your family history: If your father or brother had prostate cancer, or if close relatives had breast cancer, your risk is higher. Risk is also higher for people with a genetic condition called Lynch Syndrome and those who carry the BRCA1 or 2 gene, a mutation associated with some other cancers.
When and how often you should get screened depends upon your risk factors. For men 55 to 69 and at average risk, PSA screening is recommended at least every two to four years, and more frequently if an elevated PSA is found. For men at increased risk, screening is recommended starting between age 40 to 45.
Prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms unless it is very advanced, which is rare. That’s why it’s so important to get screened. Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer can include urination problems, pain in the back, hips, or upper thighs, difficulty maintaining an erection and loss of appetite.
There are two primary methods we use to screen for prostate cancer:
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Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: This simple blood test checks levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein made by the prostate. It’s quick, simple, and can save lives. Elevated PSA doesn't always mean cancer; prostate enlargement or infection can also raise it.
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Digital rectal exam (DRE): The provider inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps on the prostate. This procedure is quick, and while it may be uncomfortable is not usually painful. A DRE is not always required.
If these tests suggest prostate cancer, a biopsy confirms diagnosis by examining cell samples. Further tests, including Gleason scores and biomarker profiling, help determine cancer's aggressiveness and guide treatment.
Related reading: Screening for Prostate Cancer Is Now Less Invasive and Still Life-Saving.
Treatment options for prostate cancer.
MedStar Health offers comprehensive treatment options for prostate cancer. We consider your tumor’s size, location, and genetic makeup when developing a personalized plan for the most effective treatment.
At MedStar Health, comprehensive cancer care is provided by a multidisciplinary team. Specialists—including urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and navigators—collaborate to create the most effective, personalized treatment plan. We consider your cancer's stage, overall health, and personal preferences to eliminate cancer and reduce side effects.
Minimally invasive options.
Nationwide, about 60% of men with low-risk prostate cancers are managed with active surveillance—monitoring the cancer with regular tests instead of immediate treatment. This approach to low-risk cancers helps reduce unnecessary treatment and side effects. If the cancer shows progression, more active treatment begins, often involving one or more approaches.
A type of minimally invasive treatment, focal therapies are available for select patients with lower risk and earlier stage prostate cancer that use energy sources to treat small tumors of the prostate.
Sonablate High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is non-invasive, radiation-free therapy that uses sound to destroy diseased prostate tissues, while cryoablation uses extreme cold to freeze and eliminate cancerous cells. These treatment options are not appropriate for all patients, so it is important to meet with a urologist to discuss if you are a candidate.
Surgery.
At MedStar Health, our experienced surgeons offer minimally invasive options, including more than 3,500 robotic-assisted prostate removal surgeries since 2003. Our innovative surgical treatment options include:
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Pelvic-Fascia (“Retzius”)-sparing robotic assisted prostatectomy (PFS-RARP): This procedure involves an alternate route to the prostate that preserves connections to the bladder and urethra to reduce the risk of urinary side effects. Surgeons at MGUH have pioneered this technique in the US and have given talks nationally to teach this new technique.
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Nerve-Sparing Techniques: Our surgeons are very accomplished at athermal and atraumatic nerve sparing techniques that can help reduce sexual dysfunction in appropriate patients.
Radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy is a curative treatment option for many men with prostate cancer and offers outcomes similar to surgery, but without the need for an operation.
At MedStar Health, we use advanced imaging and planning to deliver very precise treatments that minimize exposure to surrounding tissues. This approach helps reduce the urinary, bowel, and sexual side effects patients often worry about.
Options such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), often delivered with the Cyberknife® system, and proton therapy with HYPERSCAN technology allow us to target the cancer with exceptional accuracy, giving patients effective, non-invasive alternatives tailored to their needs.
Radiation therapy plans are tailored to each patient. Options may include:
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External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): Targeting the prostate from outside the body, EBRT uses image guidance for precise radiation or proton therapy, in which high-energy protons destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. We were the first facility in the world to offer Proton Therapy with HYPERSCAN® technology, the latest and most precise form of proton therapy.
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Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT): This painless, noninvasive technique treats cancer in just five versus the 40 treatments needed with traditional radiation.
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Brachytherapy: This advanced treatment places tiny radioactive “seeds” inside the prostate, delivering high-dose radiation therapy directly to cancer while sparing nearby tissues.
Related reading: How CyberKnife® Therapy for Prostate Cancer Helps Men Get Back to Their Lives Faster.
Medical Oncology.
Our expert medical oncologists provide medication-based treatments that eliminate cancer cells throughout the body. These can include:
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Hormone therapy: Blocking or suppressing the hormone testosterone can stop or reverse the progression of prostate cancer.
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Chemotherapy: Drugs delivered through an IV can help fight cancer. Modern chemotherapies are used in combination with hormone therapy or other treatments.
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Immunotherapy: These are treatments that use the patient’s immune system to help it identify and fight cancer.
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Targeted therapy: This advanced cancer treatment uses medications that target specific parts of the cancer cell to prevent tumors from multiplying, with less impact on healthy cells.
Related reading: Understanding Prostate Cancer: Comprehensive Care and Advanced Treatments.
Take control of your prostate health.
If you’re approaching age 50 or have factors that increase your risk, talk with your doctor about screening options. For men age 55-69, PSA screening is recommended at least every 2-4 years, or more often if your PSA is high. If you have elevated risk, your doctor may recommend beginning around age 40-45.
Taking charge of your prostate health pays off: early detection gives our teams the best chance for curative treatment with fewer side effects.
