Among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S., prostate cancer affects one out of every eight men. The disease is also the second leading cause of cancer death among men, a fact that underscores the need for regular screenings starting around age 50. Schedule an appointment to speak with a Bayhealth expert about prostate cancer.
Signs & Symptoms
Though signs of prostate cancer are rare during its early stages, the disease may present symptoms once it becomes more advanced. Among the most common symptoms of prostate cancer are urination issues such as frequent urination or a weak flow of urine.
Other symptoms include the following.
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Bone pain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Sudden weight loss
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting screened for prostate cancer, or speak with a member of our cancer care team.
Risk Factors & Prevention
Because the causes of prostate cancer can be difficult to pinpoint, there are no clear ways to prevent the disease. However, understanding the known risk factors can be helpful. The following are among the main indicators that you may be at risk for prostate cancer.
- Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, which is why regular screenings starting around age 50 are recommended for all men.
- Family History: Your risk for prostate cancer is greater if you have a blood relative who has been diagnosed with the disease at some point in their life.
- Obesity: While it’s unclear if obesity increases the risk of prostate cancer, the disease can be more aggressive in overweight patients.
- Race and Ethnicity: Though the reasons for this remain unclear, prostate cancer occurs in African American men at greater rates. The disease can also be more aggressive.
Family & Personal History
A family history of prostate cancer can increase the risk that you will develop the disease at some point in your life. In clinical partnership with Penn Medicine’s Telegenetics Program, Bayhealth provides genetic counseling services to our patients. Using video-conferencing software that can be accessed at our Kent and Sussex campuses, genetic counselors at the Abramson Cancer Center will discuss your personal and family history with you and make genetic testing recommendations. These tests provide insight into your cancer risks and help our multidisciplinary medical team to determine the best treatment plan for your condition. To learn more about our telegenetics program or to participate, call us at 302-674-4401.
Screenings for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is most often detected during screenings. In fact, it is commonly diagnosed before the patient has developed any noticeable symptoms. Having your prostate checked every two years greatly increases the chances of identifying and treating the cancer at the earliest possible stage. Speak with your doctor about prostate cancer screenings.
Bayhealth offers free screenings for those who qualify based on annual income.
How We Diagnose Prostate Cancer
Because most prostate cancers are diagnosed before the patient starts to develop symptoms, early detection is important. Our cancer care team may use one or both of the following procedures to diagnose prostate cancer.
- Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves create images of your prostate tissue.
- Image-guided Biopsy: Surgeons remove a small amount of tissue and analyze it to determine if cancer is present.
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties (such as urology, medical and radiation oncology, radiology and pathology) will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Treatments for prostate cancer include the following.
Medical Therapy
Our board-certified oncologists prescribe your medical therapy, and our highly trained nursing
staff administers that therapy intravenously, orally or through injection.
Among the medical treatments we provide are the following.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer
cells without affecting normal cells. - Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer
cells in your body. - Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to
fight and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks.
Surgical Approaches
One of the following surgeries may be used to address your prostate cancer.
- Robotic Prostatectomy: Using high-precision instruments and a small, surgical camera (called a laparoscope), your surgeons remove the prostate tumor without damaging the surrounding nerves and tissue.
- Prostatectomy: During this traditional surgical approach, your surgeon removes the parts of the prostate gland affected by cancer, sparing the surrounding nerves.
Learn more about cancer treatment options at Bayhealth.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide non-profit organization, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
Explore our classes, events, and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.