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  • 6116 East Arbor Avenue, Building 2, Suite 108, Mesa, AZ 85206
  • 480.219.1771
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Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Q & A

What can go wrong with my prostate?

As you age, your prostate is susceptible to:

  • Prostate cancer
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): enlarged prostate that is watched for changes
  • Acute bacterial prostatitis: sudden infection that needs immediate medical treatment
  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis: rare, recurrent infection that may require long-term antibiotics
  • Chronic prostatitis: chronic pain in the pelvis, groin, or penis that is treated with medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes

What are symptoms of a prostate problem or prostate cancer?

You should contact your EVU urologist immediately if you experience:

  • Frequent and persistent urge to urinate
  • Waking up many times at night to urinate
  • Dribbling urine
  • Blood in urine or semen
  • Pain or burning during urination or ejaculation
  • Frequent stiffness or pain in your lower back, hips, pelvis, rectum, or upper thighs

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

You have an increased risk for prostate cancer if you are:

  • Over age 50
  • African-American, Hispanic, or Native American
  • From a family with a history of prostate cancer
  • Eating too many fatty foods
  • Obese

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

our urologist uses a simple screening test called the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test combined with a digital rectal exam to diagnose prostate cancer.

If your EVU specialist catches your prostate cancer at an early stage, the first strategy might be watching and waiting. If your tumor grows, treatment may consist of radiation, hormone therapy, and robotic laparoscopic surgery.

What is a prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men that surrounds the upper portion of the urethra, just below the bladder, and produces seminal fluids. Your EVU urologist examines your prostate during your regular checkups to detect abnormalities that may need diagnosis and treatment.

What are treatment options for prostate cancer?

Depending on the development of your prostate cancer and state of your health, your doctor at EVU Center may recommend a treatment plan that includes:

  • Robotic prostatectomy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with SpaceOARⓇ
  • External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
  • Brachytherapy (seeds)
  • Proton beam therapy
  • High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
  • Cryotherapy

When should I get screened for prostate cancer?

If you’re under 55 and have no risk factors, you don’t need screening. If you do have risk factors, your EVU urologist devises a tailor-made screening schedule. Men between the ages of 55-70 who are at low risk should be screened every one to two years.

You can continue testing after age 70 if your life expectancy is longer than 10 years.

Don’t wait any longer to address your prostate health. Get an annual prostate exam, follow screening recommendations, and call East Valley Urology Center if you have suspicious symptoms. You can also use the online booking form to set up an appointment.