Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer? What are my options?

SPONSORED – September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, but this important message holds true. We encourage the men in our lives to be champions of their own health and to understand their potential risk of developing prostate cancer.

In 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 288,300 new cases and about 34,700 deaths from prostate cancer. We know that for many men, having conversations around this sensitive topic may not be easy. However, it is important for men to understand their potential risk of developing prostate cancer, screening guidelines and the treatment options available.

One of the most crucial messages of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is the significance of early detection. Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer often progresses silently, displaying no symptoms in its early stages. The power of early detection cannot be overstated, as it can substantially enhance the chances of successful treatments.

Several factors contribute to an individual’s risk of developing prostate cancer, including age, family history, race/ethnicity and lifestyle. Schedule a prostate health checkup. Discuss with your doctor and make an informed decision on when to begin regular screenings, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). These play an instrumental role in early detection.

If facing a prostate cancer diagnosis, it’s important to know there are several treatment options available. Choosing the treatment that is best for you can be overwhelming. Consider speaking to the doctors who specialize in each of the treatment options. This might give you a better perspective and understanding the treatments, success rates and side effects.

One of the most technologically advanced options is Swedish CyberKnife, offered right here in Seattle. It’s one of the shortest treatment courses, requiring only five treatment sessions, each lasting less than an hour. Unique to CyberKnife is the ability to adjust to patient movement during the treatment delivery. This motion tracking ensures radiation is delivered to the target while avoiding nearby critical organs. Being able to precisely and accurately deliver radiation makes a difference in terms of controlling cancer and reducing the risk of side effects.

Swedish CyberKnife is non-surgical, non-invasive and patients report better quality of life during and after treatment, compared with other options. Swedish CyberKnife physicians publish a 97% cure rate. Swedish has been offering the CyberKnife treatment in Seattle for over 10 years. During this time, Swedish CyberKnife has successfully treated over a thousand prostate cancer patients.

Whether it’s yourself, a relative, friend or loved one, we all know someone who may be at risk. This September, we’re bringing awareness to prostate cancer and encouraging treatment with Swedish CyberKnife. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is incredibly important to do your research about all prostate cancer treatments. We highly recommend reaching out to Swedish CyberKnife to see if treatment is an option for you. The dedicated staff is eager to provide information about CyberKnife and the steps to scheduling a consultation with one of their providers.

To learn more about CyberKnife for prostate cancer treatment go to Swedish.org/cyberknifeprostate. Or call them at 206-320-7187. Treat prostate cancer with Swedish CyberKnife.