Prostate Cancer Screening and Prevention

18 million men around the world live with prostate cancer. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with it during his lifetime. It is the most commonly occurring cancer in America, with 200,000 new cases annually, and 6 in 10 cases found in men 65 and over. Importance of Prostate Cancer Screening Researchers have found several factors that might increase risk of getting prostate cancer, including: Age: Although rare in men younger than 40, the chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50 Race/ethnicity: Geography, especially in North America, northwestern Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean Family history, however most occurs in men without a family history of prostate cancer Inherited genetics or genetic changes   Some factors with less clear effects on the prostate include diet, obesity, exposure to certain chemicals, sexually transmitted infections, and vasectomies. Prostate cancer is seen less often in Asian American and Hispanic/Latino men than in non-Hispanic whites. However, African Americans and Caribbean men of African ancestry experience higher rates of prostate cancer (and at younger ages) than men of other races. The reasons are not clear. Most prostate cancers are diagnosed through a prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening or when patients develop symptoms.   What to Expect Our coordinated center in Fairfax offers disease expertise on cancer and prevention as we work through your health risk assessment. We will create a customized plan based on your risk level to incorporate screenings, education, prevention and overall wellness. We offer the latest technology for our screenings and procedures to make sure you are taken care of on every level. The Inova Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center provides prostate cancer screening, early diagnosis of prostate cancer, different types of treatment for different stages of prostate cancer, services for family members of patients with prostate cancer, and genetic counseling for patients at high risk of developing prostate cancer. Doctors may screen for prostate cancer using a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. The PSA test can detect high levels of prostate-specific antigen that may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. A PSA test is a simple blood test and takes only as long as it takes to draw blood and receive results from the lab. Another option is ultrasound- and MRI-guided prostate biopsies in which a physician removes small samples of tissue from your prostate for analysis. During a prostate biopsy, 10-12 tissue samples are generally taken, and the procedure takes approximately 20 minutes.   Possible Outcomes Prostate cancer can be different for each patient, and differences in each patient’s tumor may make it necessary to try multiple treatments. Researchers and doctors continue to research and learn more about the differences in prostate tumors to better understand how patients may respond to treatment. As with all cancer treatment at the Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center, a compassionate care team will monitor your health, provide information and education about your treatment, and advocate for you every step of the way. Genetic Screening If you have a family history of cancer, there is a likelihood you may be genetically predisposed. Our specialists will explain the complex medical information and implications of genetic testing to you.