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    Prostate Cancer

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    How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed

    All men over 55 should be screened for prostate cancer by a doctor every year. Men who are at higher risk due to their race, age or family history should consider being regularly screened earlier, after age 40. Prostate cancer screening includes the following:

    • A digital rectal exam

    • Blood testing

    If those tests are positive, your doctor may refer you for other tests or procedures, that may include:

    • Transrectal ultrasound

    • Prostate MRI

    • Molecular urine tests

    • Prostate biopsy

    • PSMA imaging

    Types of Prostate Biopsies

    Prostate biopsies are used to diagnose prostate cancer. Generally, there are two main types of prostate biopsies:

    • Transrectal method, this is the most common form of prostate biopsy, in which an ultrasound probe is placed into the rectum to guide a biopsy needle. Samples are directly taken from the prostate.

    Next Steps for Those Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

    After diagnosis, your case will be evaluated and given what’s called a “Gleason Score,” which assigns a grade to your prostate cancer cells from 6 (not at all aggressive) to 10 (fast-spreading and very aggressive). Your doctor will talk to you about your current symptoms, discuss treatment options and potentially refer you to a urologic specialist for more tests or surgery. Remember that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable of all cancers, with over 96 percent of those diagnosed surviving at least 5 years past diagnosis.

    Learn more about Hoag’s Urologic Cancer Program and our multidisciplinary Urologic Cancer Team.

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