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BayCare offers several convenient health care services that help get care you need to get back to feeling better.
Prostate Cancer
The prostate, found only in males, is a gland that produces a fluid that helps to protect and enrich the sperm. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Most forms of prostate cancer start in glandular cells, making them adenocarcinomas. They tend to grow and spread fairly slowly.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 238,590 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the United States. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, second to lung cancer. There is about a 1 in 6 chance that a man will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Getting older
- Being African American
- Having a family history of prostate cancer
- Eating a diet high in fatty dairy products or red meat
- Being obese
Signs & Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
See your doctor if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms:
- Bone pain in the spine, hips or ribs
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Difficulty urinating or pain when urinating
- Weakness or numbness in the lower extremities
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment
Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables are currently the best ways to prevent prostate cancer. Men who exhibit symptoms or who are at an increased risk for prostate cancer may want to discuss testing with their doctors. The most common treatments for prostate cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Prostate Cancer Education, Screenings & Treatment at BayCare
BayCare is proud to offer a variety of cancer services throughout Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and all of Tampa Bay. Call (855) 314-8346 for a physician referral or find a doctor near you.
Learn More About Breast Screening
As we age, the kinds of screenings we need and the frequency of those screenings evolves. Our gender, family history, preexisting conditions and lifestyle choices may make us more susceptible to certain types of cancer, so regular screenings should be a priority.
It’s important to talk with your doctor about the cancer screenings that are right for you.
| Cancer Type | What are My Screening Options? | Who Should be Screened?* | How do I get screened? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast |
Mammogram
|
Schedule your screening mammogram | |
| Colorectal | There are various types of Colorectal Cancer Screenings. Talk to your doctor about the screening that is right for you. | Regular screenings should begin for all adults at the age of 45. After first screening, subsequent screenings are based on initial test results. | Talk to your primary care doctor about getting screened. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |
| Prostate | Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test |
Men age 50-75 should make a shared decision about prostate screening with their physician. Screening frequency varies based on initial screening. African American men with family history of prostate cancer should discuss the possibility of screening at an earlier age. |
Talk to your primary care doctor to schedule. Need a referral? Find a doctor |
| Cervical | Cervical Cytology / Pap (Papanicolaou) Test HPV Test | Schedule an appointment with your OB or GYN. Need a referral? Find a doctor. | |
| Skin | Physical Exam Self-Exam Skin Biopsy |
Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. Need a referral? Find a doctor. | |
| Lung | Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) | Talk to your primary care doctor to schedule. Need a referral? Find a doctor. |
*Screening Recommendations are for average risk patients.