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Although some younger men do get prostate cancer, the risk increases with age. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 70 percent of all prostate cancer patients are over the age of 65, and about 75 percent of all men over the age of 80 will have some form of prostate cancer. In addition to age, other risk factors include ethnicity, genetic factors and diet. African-American and Latino men have a greater risk of developing prostate cancer than Caucasian men; Asian and Native American men have the lowest risk. There is also evidence that diet plays a role in the development of prostate cancer. Studies have found a higher incidence of prostate cancer in men whose diets are high in fats (particularly animal fats) and low in vegetables. A family history of prostate cancer also increases the chances of developing the disease.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING
PROSTATE CANCER
As scientists continue to look for more genetic mutations that could be potential targets for new treatments of advanced prostate cancer, targeted therapies are also being developed for patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer. Many advances in the treatment of prostate cancer have occurred in the past decade including new surgical procedures and improvements in radiation therapy. Both of these have proven to be extremely effective and, in many instances, to have minimal side effects. Advances in both hormonal therapy and chemotherapy have made the disease much more manageable so that even if it can’t be cured, a patient can still experience a good quality of life while living with prostate cancer.
There are five major treatment options for men diagnosed with prostate cancer:
• Active surveillance – During active surveillance, your doctor will carefully monitor your prostate cancer on a regular basis – usually every 3 to 6 months. Some prostate cancers grow so slowly that they will never lead to death or even cause any symptoms. Closely monitoring this type of prostate cancer is often the best treatment option.
• Hormone therapy: There are several types of hormone therapy, however, the overall goal of each type is the same: to either reduce the levels of male hormones (also known as androgens) or to prevent the hormones from reaching the prostate gland cells. Since androgens
stimulate prostate cells to grow, reducing the overall level of androgens in the body can often shrink a tumor or make it grow at a slower pace.
• Radiation: Radiation treatment uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. New and improved
techniques such as conformal radiation therapy (CRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) use computers to map out the prostate and deliver focused radiation to cancer cells while sparing healthy
surrounding tissue.
• Surgery: Prostate cancer surgery is used to remove either the whole prostate or part of it. Surgery is most often recommended for men with early stage prostate cancer, however it can be used for later stages as well.
If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the surgeon may not remove the prostate and suggest another type
of treatment.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the administration
of anti-cancer drugs, either through IV injection or by mouth in pill form. Chemotherapy is not usually given unless the cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland. This also becomes an option when the cancer no longer responds to hormone therapy.
World-Class Cancer Treatment Close to Home
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has put together a network of expert, board-certified physicians who bring world‐class cancer treatments to local communities, both large and small, across the state. With nearly 100 locations, FCS is the largest independent oncology/hematology group in the United States. That status puts the practice on the leading edge of clinical trial research and gives FCS physicians access to the newest, most innovative treatments.
Florida Cancer Specialists treats patients with all types of cancer and offers a number of services such as an in-house specialty pharmacy, an in-house pathology lab and financial counselors at every location, that deliver the most advanced and personalized care in your local community.
Hudson
7651 Medical Drive
Hudson, FL 34667
Hudson North
14100 Fivay Road
Suite 380
Hudson, FL 34667
Land O’ Lakes
19409 Shumard Oak Dr.
Suite 101
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638
New Port Richey
8763 River Crossing Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL 34655
New Port Richey West
5802 State Road 54
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Zephyrhills
38010 Medical Center Ave
Zephyrhills, FL 33540
