Goshen Health raises awareness about prostate cancer screening and treatment options
As we enter Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Goshen Health wants to raise awareness of prostate cancer and encourage men to talk to their doctors about when to get screened. According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the U.S., where about one out of every eight men will be diagnosed with the cancer.
The likelihood of developing prostate cancer increases with age. That’s why it’s recommended for men around age 50 to talk to their healthcare provider about their risk of developing prostate cancer and when to begin having a prostate-specific antigen screening – or PSA test, which is one of the most common methods doctors use to screen for prostate cancer.
“We encourage everyone to talk to their primary care providers about what screenings are appropriate for them, based on their age, gender and other risk factors,” said Randy Christophel, Goshen Health President and Chief Executive Officer. “Identifying health conditions early gives patients and their providers the most flexibility in treatment options.”
In addition to age, other risk factors for prostate cancer include having a family history; eating a diet high in fat and low in vegetables; and smoking. African American males also have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
Goshen Center for Cancer Care offers highly specialized treatment options for prostate cancer, including brachytherapy, SpaceOAR/Hydrogel and targeted radiation therapy including state-of-the-art Ethos™ therapy that relies on artificial intelligence to create and adapt plans in minutes. These options target cancer cells while minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. Advanced treatments like these allow men to return to active and productive lives sooner with fewer complications.