Doctors at Atrium Health Navicent Recognize Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among American men
Atrium Health Navicent invites the community to recognize Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September by learning more about risk factors, screenings and treatment options for the disease, which is the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetimes and 1 in 41 men will die from the disease. The ACS estimates that in 2022, there will be about 268,490 new cases of prostate cancer resulting in about 34,500 deaths.
The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66, with 6 out of 10 cases diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, according to the ACS. Black men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer face an increased risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Doctors at Atrium Health Navicent urge men to stay up-to-date on regular wellness visits, as well as any prescribed screenings, to diagnose prostate cancer early. Individuals may experience different symptoms for prostate cancer, and some men do not have symptoms at all. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor.
If you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away:
• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Urinating often, especially at night
• Trouble emptying the bladder completely
• Pain or burning during urination
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away
• Painful ejaculation
“Many men may not experience any symptoms until prostate cancer has spread to another part of the body. That’s why it’s vital that men prioritize regular visits with a primary care physician and follow up with a specialist if recommended,” said Dr. Boris Velimirovich, a board-certified urologist practicing at Atrium Health Navicent Urology Baldwin.
It’s recommended that men over 45 talk with their doctor about getting a baseline Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, and men ages 55-69 should consider getting screened annually, especially if they have a family history of prostate cancer.
A PSA is a blood test that measures the level of PSA — a substance made by the prostate — in the blood. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. If the PSA test is abnormal, your doctor may recommend a biopsy to find out if you have prostate cancer.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer and surgery is recommended, Atrium Health Navicent offers robotic prostatectomy with the da Vinci Xi surgery. This robotic procedure expands surgeons’ capabilities to perform minimally invasive surgery, allowing for faster recovery as opposed to open or laparoscopic removal.
Atrium Health Navicent Urology Baldwin offers many minimally invasive treatments for a variety of urologic conditions including prostate cancer, kidney stones, erectile disfunction, incontinence and more.
Atrium Health Peyton Anderson Cancer Center provides cancer treatment and survivorship services for patients diagnosed with a variety of cancers, including prostate cancer. With the new addition of medical oncology services, Atrium Health Navicent offers a full continuum of care available for central Georgia patients.
If you or a loved one has concerns about cancer risk factors, available screenings or cancer care, contact Atrium Health Navicent Peyton Anderson Cancer Center at 478-633-3000. To find a doctor, visit www.NavicentHealth.org and click “Find A Doctor.”
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.