September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
The prostate is a small gland located centrally inside the male pelvis. It plays an important role in reproduction because it supplies the seminal fluid. Prostate cancer affects this gland and is the second most common cancer among males. If detected early, it is 100% treatable.
Symptoms
You may not experience any signs or symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. However, you may experience urinary symptoms (such as frequency, pain, and/or blood), pain or pressure in the rectum, or difficulty having an erection.
Risk Factors
The most common risk for prostate cancer is age. Other factors include family history, genetics, race, lifestyle, and dietary habits.
Screening and Diagnosing
Routine screening is the best way to detect prostate cancer in its earliest stage. Routine tests physicians offer include:
- PSA blood test (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
- DRE (Digital Rectal Exam)
If the results are abnormal, your physician may order an ultrasound or a MRI. The best time for someone to get a prostate MRI is ifthere are rising PSA levels and a negative biopsy. MRI helps detect disease that can be missed by a standard random biopsy. Prostate MRI will sometimes also be used for cancer staging, detecting cancer that has spread outside of the gland, pretreatment planning prior to radiation, pre-surgical planning prior to prostatectomy, and for detection of recurrent disease following treatment.
You Have a Choice
Remember that you have a choice in your health care and request to have your imaging performed at Delaney Radiology. Our staff of board certified trained technologists and radiologists will ensure your imaging is high quality and cost effective every time.
Delaney Radiology offers MRI services 7 days a week from 7:00am to 6:30pm so you can schedule your appointment when it is convenient for you! Are you scheduled for an MRI at Delaney Radiology? Learn more here about how to prepare for your exam and what to expect.
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