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Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, most of the time prostate cancer grows slowly, and the survival rate is high.
More than 2 million men in the United States who have had prostate cancer at some point are still alive today, and Martha Jefferson's five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is superior to state and national averages.
The death rate for prostate cancer is going down, perhaps because the disease is being found earlier. The greatest risk factors are age and genetics. One man in six will get prostate cancer in his lifetime. Within the U.S., African-American men have a particularly high risk, though the reasons behind this have not yet been determined.
Signs and Symptoms
Many men experience no symptoms of prostate cancer and only learn of their disease through a screening prescribed by their physician.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis of prostate cancer usually begins in the primary care doctor's office with an abnormal digital rectal exam (DRE) or elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). For men without benefit of a primary physician, the abnormality may first be detected at the annual free prostate cancer screening offered jointly by the hospital and the affiliated urologists.
Watch the Prostate Screening Video
How is it treated?
At Martha Jefferson Hospital, we know that everyone is unique, and we treat each person's illnesses as such. What may work for one person may not work for you. Your treatment will be tailored to your needs, and may include the following:
Where can I get more information?
You should be sure to ask your doctors for their assessment and recommendations for your particular disease. For more information online, we recommend the following websites:
American Cancer Society National prostate Cancer Coalition US TOO International, Inc.
Anxious about your first visit to the cancer center? Knowing what to expect can help.
Simple screening tests can help detect many cancers in the earliest stages, when they can be treated successfully.
You can be confident that the treatment you receive at Martha Jefferson Hospital is the best available.
