What Men Should Know About Prostate Cancer and Radiation Therapy

By Dr. Kevin Kozak

Every September, National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month presents an opportunity to increase awareness and discussion on prostate cancer, the second most common type of cancer among men in the U.S.

Nearly one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetimes. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 248,530 new cases diagnosed in 2021, and 34,130 deaths will be attributed to prostate cancer.

While these statistics may come as an unsettling shock, the disease is survivable. In fact, more than 3.1 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today.

Early detection, effective treatments and continued research are our best allies in the battle against prostate cancer.

Risk factors
Prostate cancer is more likely to develop among older men. That means the older a man is, the greater the chance of getting prostate cancer. Approximately six in every ten cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in men 65 and older, and the average age at diagnosis is around 66.

Family history, race and diet are also risk factors associated with the disease. Men have a higher chance of getting or dying from the disease if they have family history of prostate cancer.

Detecting cancer early
Prostate cancer can be found early by testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a man’s blood or with a digital rectal exam. Rectal exams are performed by a doctor who feels for any bumps or hard areas on the prostate that might be cancerous. The procedure can be uncomfortable but only requires a short amount of time.

Screening tests remain the most effective way to detect prostate cancer at an early stage, which allows patients to have more treatment options and higher survival rates.

Treatment & radiation therapy
When it comes to treating prostate cancer, it’s not a question of which treatment is better but rather which option best fits the patient’s specific needs. There are many factors to consider when recommending treatment, some of which include:
• The wishes of the patient.
• The stage of cancer.
• The patient’s age and health.
• The recurrence of prostate cancer.

Most men with prostate cancer are diagnosed early, when the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the prostate gland. In this case, more management options are available, some of the most common include radiation therapy and surgery. In fact, some patients require no treatment and can be carefully monitored.

Fortunately, if radiation therapy is recommended, advances in technology have dramatically improved. Radiation therapy serves as safe and effective treatment for prostate cancer and uses high-energy rays to precisely target and destroy cancer cells.

Radiation techniques have greatly improved in minimizing the side effects of treatment so that patients can return to their daily lives following each treatment. Using industry-leading machines, patients can complete a full course of radiation with little inconvenience due to more highly effective methods of prostate cancer treatment.

You might find it helpful to discuss your decision with family, friends or more than one medical opinion. At Advocate Radiation Oncology, we continue to stand proudly with our patients in their fight against prostate cancer.

About the Author
Dr. Kevin Kozak is a board-certified radiation oncologist at Advocate Radiation Oncology, a locally owned and operated practice with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, Bonita Springs and Tamarac. For more information, please visit AdvocateRO.com.