According to Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez, the risk of contracting prostate cancer for men is as high as the risk of breast cancer in women. He refers to them as parallel diseases even though breast cancer has had many educational moments from celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Rita Wilson.
However, prostate cancer continues to garner far less attention even though it is just as common in men. What is missing is the same observant attitude from men towards screening and prevention for prostate cancer, and we need to work harder to educate men and spread awareness regarding the risks associated with this disease.
The American Cancer Society reports that 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The mortality rate of men who receive the diagnosis of prostate cancer is 1 in 38, although a diagnosis of prostate cancer is not an instant death sentence. Prostate cancer can be treated by your Miami urologist using a variety of methods.
The most common treatment option is surgery, during which the prostate is removed along with some of the surrounding tissue where the prostate is located. A catheter is inserted in the patient and will remain there for up to two weeks. It can take up to five weeks before the patient will be able to resume normal activities.
To avoid surgery, your Miami urologist can use radiation therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. Side effects of this procedure include problems with urinating or clearing out your bowels. If this treatment is not effective in removing the cancer, then surgery will need to be performed.
Hormone therapy is used if the patient’s prostate cancer returns following surgery or radiation treatments. With this treatment, doctors attempt to reduce the amount of the hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone using either surgical castration or with a combination of medications.
Your Miami urologist recommends that men who are 50+ years old get a prostate screening every year. If a family history of prostate cancer exists, or you have trouble urinating, then men who are 40+ years old should get regular screenings.
The procedure that doctors perform to test a patient for prostate cancer can seem uncomfortable, and unfortunately because of this, men typically try to avoid it until they are experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer, and by then it could be too late.
Prostate cancer is a serious medical problem that has become as common as breast cancer. Regular screenings can mean the difference between life and death. So don’t hesitate – call the office of best Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez today to schedule a consultation.
