The Importance of Early Detection: Why Prostate Cancer Screening Matters

Cancer is a disease that obviously has dangerous outcomes when not detected early.

In men, the most common type of cancer is prostate cancer. But it’s a topic many men avoid and don’t pay much attention to. As per studies, as men age, regular screenings and health checkups become important for them. Among all the checkups, prostate cancer screening holds the most importance. Why?

Because early detection of prostate cancer is not done, the results can be risky. Starting in the prostate gland of your body, this cancer can spread to other parts of the body, making it harder to treat and potentially life-threatening.

Here’s some additional content to make men aware of how routine prostate cancer screenings are key to protecting their health and why its early detection could be their most critical defense.

Because your life matters to your loved ones.

Understanding Prostate Cancer

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer starts from the prostate gland, which is a small organ below the bladder in men. It occurs due to the uncontrollable growth of cells in the prostate glands, resulting in tumor formation. If not treated early, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

Catching it earlier helps you get better treatment and outcomes. Regular screenings are important because they can find the cancer even before prostate cancer symptoms have appeared. Through early detection, you can stop it from becoming serious.

Risk Factors

Cancer is an unpredictable disease, as anyone can get it. The risk of men developing prostate cancer increases due to several factors. The first one is the age of the men, as it is very common in older men.

Second is the family history. It plays a major role here. If a relative of a man had prostate cancer, then his risk of getting it is higher. Another factor is your lifestyle choices, such as diet and physical activity, can also impact your risk.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

It is very important to be aware of prostate cancer symptoms. Its early signs include:

•       Frequent urination, especially at night.
•       Difficulty in starting or stopping urination
•       Some men may experience pain during urination
•       Noticing blood in the urine or semen.

The Role of Early Detection

Improved Treatment Outcomes

Early detection of prostate cancer is crucial because it allows for more effective treatment options. When the cancer is found early, doctors can choose treatments that are better suited to the stage of the disease.

This can include targeted therapies or surgery that can remove the tumor before it grows larger. Early detection often means that treatments can work better and help control the cancer more effectively.

Increased Survival Rates

Statistically, finding prostate cancer early greatly improves survival rates. Studies show that men whose cancer is detected at an early stage have a much higher chance of living longer. The survival rate for prostate cancer is significantly higher when the cancer is caught before it has spread beyond the prostate gland. This means that regular screenings and early detection can make a big difference in how long and how well men live after a diagnosis.

Less Invasive Treatments

Early detection also opens the door to less invasive treatments. For cancers caught at an early stage, doctors may recommend active surveillance, where the cancer is monitored closely rather than immediately treated.

This approach can avoid or delay more aggressive treatments like surgery or radiation, which can have more side effects. Early-stage prostate cancer often allows for treatments that are less aggressive and more manageable, leading to a better quality of life.

 

Prostate Cancer Screening Methods

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

The PSA test is a common screening method for prostate cancer. It measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man’s blood. A higher level of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be caused by other conditions, like infections or an enlarged prostate. The PSA test is useful because it can detect prostate cancer early, even before symptoms appear.

mpMRI Screening: A Better Way to Diagnose

At Palms Imaging Center, we use multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) – for men with elevated prostate specific antigen(PSA) – for the timely and accurate detection of prostate cancer. mpMRI can increase the detection of clinically significant disease over other methods by 50% and reduce the number of unnecessary

biopsies by one-third.

What is mpMRI?

• State-of-the-art technology that creates more detailed pictures of your prostate than a standard MRI scan
• Recommended screening for men with elevated PSA test
• Precise testing to detect – or rule out – prostate cancer

You or your loved one should take these steps today:

1. Get a PSA blood test if you are a man over the age of 45
2. If your PSA is abnormally elevated, schedule an mpMRI of your prostate to look for early cancer
3. If your mpMRI scan is abnormal, get an MRI-guided prostate biopsy
4. Call Palms Imaging Center to start your prostate cancer screening program

 

Prostate MRI and Biopsy

When is a Biopsy Needed?

If your mpMRI scan is abnormal, an MRI-guided prostate biopsy is recommended.

A biopsy is recommended when other screening tests, like the PSA or DRE, suggest that cancer may be present. In a biopsy, a small sample of prostate tissue is taken and examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells. This procedure is usually done with a needle and helps doctors confirm if cancer is present. A biopsy is the most accurate way to diagnose prostate cancer.

Benefits of MRI-Guided Biopsy

•         Specific targeting of tumor suspicious region instead of random sampling
•         Minimally invasive with fewer cores (3-4) instead of 12 cores with ultrasound
•         Reduced chances of infection and bleeding
•         Better software to reach tumor suspicious region otherwise difficult to reach with ultrasound

Myths and Misconceptions

There are many myths about prostate cancer screening that can confuse people. One common misconception is that screening leads to overdiagnosis, meaning people think they’ll be told they have cancer when they don’t. While overdiagnosis can happen, it’s rare, and early detection through screening often saves lives.

Another myth is that prostate cancer screenings are painful or risky. In reality, the screening tests are simple and safe, like a blood test (PSA) or a physical exam. These tests help doctors find cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

It’s important to get accurate information about prostate cancer screening. The goal of screening is to detect cancer before it spreads and becomes harder to manage. Trusting myths can keep people from getting checked, but knowing the facts can make a huge difference in staying healthy.

 

Closing up

Getting screened for prostate cancer is a simple and important way to stay on top of your health. Catching it early means better treatment and fewer complications. Don’t let the myths hold you back—regular checkups can make a big difference.

 

Proud to Offer!

Palms Imaging Center is proud to offer comprehensive prostate cancer screening services to help detect cancer early for better treatment outcomes. Our advanced imaging technology ensures accurate results, giving patients the information, they need to make informed health decisions.

We are also excited to introduce PYLARIFY®, a cutting-edge imaging agent used in PSMA PET/CT scans. This advanced scan helps locate prostate tumors that may have spread, providing detailed insights for personalized treatment. With PYLARIFY®, we offer the latest in diagnostic technology, ensuring the best care and peace of mind for our patients.

Your health matters, so take that step and get screened!