Posted: 9/30/2015
Information helps patients make best possible decisions
It’s one of the most common cancers in men, and as many as one in seven will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime. But prostate cancer can be successfully treated, especially if detected early.
Although he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer just six months ago, today John Alevras is on his way to recovery.
The 59-year-old Dallas resident said he went to get a routine check-up at one of Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care health centers because he was having trouble urinating. When his initial prostate screenings showed abnormalities, the medical staff jumped into action and quickly referred him to Parkland Memorial Hospital for additional testing and to begin treatment. After surgery, he is now receiving follow-up treatment at Parkland’s outpatient Urology Clinic.
“I’m still in shock that it happened so quickly,” Alevras said. “There was no history of prostate cancer in my family. It’s important to have screenings done.”
Alevras described his medical care at Parkland as “excellent,” and his sister, Alecia Fremouw, said the screening and aggressive treatment saved her brother’s life.
“Prostate cancer certainly should be taken seriously. All men should be advised of the importance of having an informed discussion with their physician about their risk factors and recommended screenings for prostate cancer,” said Noel Santini, MD, Medical Director and Chief of Adult Medicine for Community Medicine at Parkland.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015 there will be 220,800 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed and 27,540 deaths. It is the second leading cause of death for men, behind lung cancer. But the same organization notes that there are more than 2.9 million men alive today who at one point in their lives were diagnosed with prostate cancer. When detected at an early stage the five-year survival rate is close to 100 percent.
“That’s why it’s so important for men to speak to their healthcare providers about the disease and get the information necessary to make the best decisions possible for them,” Dr. Santini said.
And with September being National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a great time to begin those discussions.
Medical experts say that prostate cancer is most common in older men, with six in 10 cases diagnosed in those 65 years of age and older. It is rare for a man younger than 40 to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer also occurs at higher rates among African-Americans, as well as Caribbean’s of African descent. Other risk factors include a family history of prostate cancer. Inherited gene mutations, diet, obesity and smoking also can be factors.
Some of the symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty passing urine; blood in the urine; pain in hips, back or chest; and weakness or numbness in legs or feet.
The most common types of testing for prostate cancer are the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the digital rectal exam. However, many medical experts recommend that before PSA testing, men should speak to their doctors and make the informed decision about the test and what results might mean.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk should receive information beginning at age 50 years, black men or men with a family history of prostate cancer should receive information at age 45 years and discuss with their doctors whether to undergo testing, and what kind of testing.
Because prostate cancer most often is a slow-growing cancer, individuals diagnosed with it should consult with their doctors and carefully consider a number of factors such as their age, expected life span, other health conditions, and stage of the cancer before making a treatment decision. Treatment can include options such as active surveillance, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and cryosurgery.
For more information on prostate cancer, please visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. Men needing to discuss prostate cancer with a physician can contact any of Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care health centers.