Prostate cancer is the single most common cancer of non-skin cancer in men in the United States.  In the year 2002, an estimated 189,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and some 30,000 will die of the disease.  The cornerstones of diagnosis remain the digital rectal examination and PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen).  Newer measurements of PSA, including %Free PSA, will allow more informed decision making by your urologist regarding prostate cancer diagnosis.  Transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy are the procedures performed to diagnose prostate cancer.

The American Urological Association recommends an annual digital rectal exam and PSA for all men 50-70 who are in good health.  High risk patients including patients with a family history of prostate cancer or African-Americans should have an annual PSA and a rectal exam beginning at age 40.  Prostate cancer exacts a particularly high toll on African-American men; mortality rates in African-American men are more that twice as high as rates in white men.

Central Arizona Urologists offer all treatment options for prostate cancer including nerve sparing radical prostatectomy or perineal prostatectomy, hormonal therapy, and the newest -cryotherapy.  We also participate with our radiation oncology colleagues in placing radioactive seeds into the prostate (brachytherapy) for selected patients.  Prostate cancer treatments should be selected based on many criteria, including pathology information, patient age, and medical history.

Informative Prostate Cancer Links:

American Cancer Society

American Prostate Society

National Cancer Institute(CancerNet)

Prostate Cancer Info

Prostate Cryotherapy Information

Prostate Cancer and Diet

Prostate Cancer Support Group (Us Too)

Wellness Web