Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among American men, second only to skin cancer. Around one in nine men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Despite these alarming statistics, there is good news. Not only is prostate cancer slow-growing, it can be detected early with screening exams. This means it’s often found in time to successfully treat it.
If you have prostate cancer, it’s normal to have concerns. But it’s also okay to have confidence. Mercy has helped thousands of men overcome prostate cancer. Our goal is to make sure you’re one of them.
Signs & Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, that’s found only in men. It produces a substance called seminal fluid, which protects and carries sperm.
If you have prostate cancer, you may not have any symptoms at first. That’s why it’s important to have regular screening exams. Digital rectal exams (DREs) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests can help catch prostate cancer early.
Signs and symptoms often don’t show up until prostate cancer is at an advanced stage. You should see your doctor right away if you notice any of the following:
- Difficulty urinating, including a slow or weak stream
- Frequent urination, especially during the night
- Bloody urine or semen
- Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
- Pain or discomfort in your pelvic area
Prostate Cancer Treatment at Mercy
Mercy’s cancer team has experience treating all stages of prostate cancer. This includes prostate cancer that has spread or come back.
Each person we serve is unique. So is the treatment plan we’ll develop with and for you. You may need one or more treatments, depending on the stage of your cancer and whether it has spread. These include:
- Active surveillance, also known as watchful waiting. This is an option for some men with low-risk or slow-growing prostate cancer. Instead of having immediate treatment (which may cause side effects), your doctor will closely monitor you.
- Medication, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
- Radiation treatments, including brachytherapy or external beam radiation therapy, with organ sparing approaches like Space OAR to improve outcomes.
- Cryoablation, a minimally invasive surgical treatment to freeze the prostate gland and destroy cancer cells.
- Surgery to remove your prostate, often performed using minimally invasive robotic technology.
At Mercy, we’ll help you face your prostate cancer—and fight back. Together we’ll tackle your cancer in the safest and most efficient way possible, so you can quickly return to doing what you love.
