Prostate cancer is one of the deadliest and most common cancers among men today. A recent article written by Melissa Matthews published by Newsweek reveals that late detection plays a key role in why prostate cancer is so fatal.
Matthews writes in the article:
“According to Orchid, a nonprofit focused on male cancer research, 37 percent of prostate cancer cases in the U.K. are diagnosed during stages three or four. Roughly 42 percent of men with prostate cancer reported visiting their primary care doctor complaining of symptoms at least twice before getting referred to a specialist.
In the U.S., 172,258 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, the most recent year tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Roughly 28,000 men died from prostate cancer.”
Diagnosing cancer in the earliest stages is the best way to increase the patient’s chance of survival, so why is late detection for prostate cancer so common? The lack of awareness for prostate cancer, the symptoms and the treatments available could have a large impact. Some prostate cancer patients are also unaware that treatments like brachytherapy are an available treatment for them. Or worse, the patient could be told that brachytherapy is not an option for them when it is. This was the case for Norm Long, a prostate cancer survivor who was originally told that surgery was his only treatment option. You can learn more about his story and experience with brachytherapy in the video below:
This lack of prostate cancer awareness could also stem from the subtlety of warning signs, a confusion over screening standards, or men’s relative ‘disinterest’ in their health. Regardless, thousands of men’s lives could be saved if there was increased awareness of prostate cancer’s symptoms and treatment options. There are some incredible prostate cancer awareness organizations and resources that exist to do just this. Click here to see some of our favorites.
Rebecca Porta, Chief Executive of Orchid, was quoted in the article saying, “Urgent action needs to be taken now if we are to be in a position to deliver world class outcomes for prostate cancer patients and their families in the future.”
You can click here to read the full Newsweek article, “Prostate Cancer is Often Diagnosed Too Late: 5 Warning Signs”.
If you would like to learn more about prostate cancer and treatment options, including brachytherapy, please contact info@isoray.flywheelstaging.com.
