Did you know that in the U.S., prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men? It is also 100 percent treatable if it’s detected early.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, the Step Up for Blue campaign highlights the importance of regular prostate screenings. St. Elizabeth Cancer Care participates in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by encouraging and empowering men to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician for a screening. More than 3 million men in the U.S. are currently living with prostate cancer.
New Prostate Cancer Screening on the Horizon
Research is ongoing to find new procedures and testing techniques for prostate cancer. A recent study by the Cleveland Clinic has determined that a new blood test called IsoPSA can more accurately detect prostate cancer in men.
While the IsoPSA test is still in the research phase, the findings so far have been positive. A key difference in the new IsoPSA test versus the current PSA (prostate specific antigen) protein test is that the new IsoPSA test could decrease unnecessary biopsies by almost 50 percent.
Additionally, the IsoPSA test can:
- Identify those patients with high-grade disease
- Determine if the patient has prostate cancer or a benign condition
“Our hope is that the IsoPSA test will help us better identify those patients at high risk for prostate cancer,” says Dr. Pratish Shah, Radiation Oncologist at St. Elizabeth Physicians. “Using the combination of IsoPSA test and an MRI-guided biopsy instead of ultrasound-guided biopsy we hope to be able to better identify patients with high-grade prostate cancer and reduce the numbers of biopsies we have to perform.”
St. Elizabeth: Your Partner in Prostate Health
Early and accurate detection of prostate cancer is key. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, early warning signs of prostate cancer are non-existent – which makes the screening test so important.
However, prostate cancer can sometimes cause symptoms. The most notable symptoms include:
- Frequent and/or urgent need to urinate
- More frequent night urination
- Difficult starting or stopping urination
- Painful urination
- Difficulty having an erection
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to discuss your concerns with a urologist. Call St. Elizabeth Physicians at (800) 737-7900 or visit us online to schedule an appointment today.
