This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, urologist Dr. Michael Schutz, founder and director of the Prostate Care Center at Shore Medical Center, is urging all men age 50 and older to get screened for prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men next to skin cancer, with 1 in 8 men expected to receive a diagnosis in their lifetime.
In 2021, the American Cancer Society estimates that there are 248,530 new cases and 34,130 deaths from prostate cancer, but with regular screening, prostate cancer can be caught early when it is most treatable.
Schutz, who practices with Shore Physicians Group and Jersey Urology Group, says that COVID-19 has led to a serious decline in elective procedures like cancer screenings, and as a result many cancers including prostate cancer are being found at more advanced stages.
“Prostate cancer can be a very manageable condition if it is caught early. If you are eligible to begin prostate cancer screening, I urge you to talk to your primary care doctor to decide whether prostate cancer screening is right for you,” Schutz said.
Screening guidelines generally recommend that men consider prostate cancer screening at age 50 or younger if they have an immediate family history or are of African American ancestry.
According to the American Cancer Society, the incidence of prostate cancer is about 80 percent higher in African Americans than in Caucasians for reasons that remain unclear.
It is important to have a discussion with your doctor about the uncertainties, risks and potential benefits of screenings.
The initial screening is a simple blood test that measures prostate specific antigen levels, or PSAs, and a digital rectal exam.
Schutz says that men should be aware of prostate cancer symptoms and see a urologist if they are experiencing pain and frequent urination.
“Those symptoms could be benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate. This is a common condition in older men, with 7 in 10 men age 70 and older experiencing these symptoms,” Schutz said.
He continued, “For others, the pain and frequent urination might be a symptom of prostate cancer. Once we conduct a prostate cancer screening, if we suspect prostate cancer, then we will conduct a biopsy.”
At the Prostate Care Center, Schutz and a comprehensive team of medical and radiation oncologists provide ongoing monitoring and treatment for men who have prostate cancer or are at risk of developing it. Each patient receives a personalized program based on their individual needs.
“Some prostate cancers are slow growing and require close monitoring,” he explained. “Others are more aggressive and require radiation, surgery, hormone therapy or chemotherapy.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment with the Prostate Care Center, please call 609-365-6239.
