Cancer Screening Archives | Provision Healthcare

Jan

A Black senior couple sits down and speaks with the doctor about a prostate cancer diagnosis

New report says prostate cancer cases are on the rise

Published: Jan 25, 2023 at 10:09 AM EST

Reversing a trend that saw the number of new prostate cancer cases drop sharply between 2007 and 2014, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports an increase in prostate cancer incidence between 2014 and 2019.

In its annual report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the ACS compiles the most recent data on cancer occurrence and outcomes. This year’s report, Cancer statistics, 2023, includes some updates about prostate cancer. From 2014 to 2019, the incidence rate increased by about 3% each year. That means nearly 100,000 more cases occurred than if rates had stayed the same. Furthermore, of those extra cases, about half of them were advanced, which means they’re harder to cure.

Nov

Debunking lung cancer myths for lung cancer awareness month

Top 5 Lung Cancer Myths Debunked

By Webmaster Provision

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in America and the leading cause of cancer death. As such, there is a lot of information out there you might come across while researching the disease. But how do you sort the fact from fiction? Well, we’ve done some of the legwork for you by finding our top five lung cancer myths and setting the record straight.

Apr

Scott Hamilton is a testicular cancer survivor and advocate

Scott Hamilton’s testicular cancer journey gives prominent voice to uncommon disease

By Webmaster Provision

Scott Hamilton is an Olympic champion, television broadcaster, motivational speaker, author, husband, father, and testicular cancer survivor. He is also an outspoken advocate for cancer research and an inspiration to other cancer patients around the world!

Feb

Cancer screening guidelines for 2022 include mammograms for women in certain age groups

What to know about cancer screening guidelines for 2022

By Webmaster Provision

Published: Feb 25, 2022 at 04:00 PM EST

When it comes to cancer screenings, there can be some confusion as to what tests are recommended, who should be getting them, and how often. Since February is National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month, we thought it would be a good time to review the cancer screening guidelines for 2022. Following these testing recommendations, along with making healthy lifestyle choices, can help lower your risk regarding certain cancers.

Sep

Knowing the common prostate cancer risk factors can help men detect the disease earlier

Prostate cancer risk factors: What men should know to help with early detection

By Webmaster Provision

One of the keys to detecting prostate cancer early is understanding the most common risk factors. Since September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, this article will focus on raising awareness of early detection. By knowing which groups of men are most at risk, you’ll be better equipped to make educated decisions about when to begin screening and what to ask your doctor.

Mar

Cancer patient holding covid vaccine information card

COVID vaccine and cancer: What patients need to know

By Webmaster Provision

Published: Mar 29, 2021 at 12:57 PM EDT

The development and availability of COVID-19 vaccines has stirred up many questions, as well as some confusion. The influx of COVID vaccine information (and misinformation) can be even more daunting for cancer patients and survivors.

To help cancer patients better understand the vaccines, Provision CARES Proton Therapy hosted a special chat session with board-certified radiation oncologist Dr. James Gray, who gave a great presentation on “COVID-19 Vaccine and Cancer: Facts vs. Fiction.”

Feb

James rings the Provision CARES victory bell after completing proton therapy treatment for prostate cancer

Proton therapy a ‘beautiful experience’ for popular Tennessee musician

By Webmaster Provision

The first time James walked through the doors at Provision he knew he’d made the right decision. He hadn’t even spoken with a physician yet or stepped foot into a treatment room. He hadn’t even gotten the proton therapy brochure that he’d come to pick up in the first place.

On Day 1, as he stood in the lobby waiting for that brochure – an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis looming large on his mind – a man approached him. As is often the case in the Provision lobby, the two strangers got to talking. They talked about cancer. They talked about proton therapy for prostate cancer . They talked about the how much they appreciated Provision.

But above all, one thing stood out to James during that conversation. The man said five memorable words that proved to James he was exactly where he needed to be:

“This place saved my life.”

Jan

American cancer deaths dropped by 2.4% from 2017 to 2018

Cancer deaths see record drop in United States

By Webmaster Provision

Published: Jan 27, 2021 at 09:42 AM EST

The number of American cancer deaths from 2017 to 2018 dropped by 2.4%, marking a record single-year drop for the second year in a row at the time of publication. These stats were published in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Cancer Facts & Figures report, which also revealed more positive news regarding the long-term direction of cancer death rates.

Sep

Study finds PSA test for prostate cancer has long-term benefits

PSA test for prostate cancer offers long-term benefits, study finds

By Webmaster Provision

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and it’s common to hear public service announcements reminding men to get a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Afterall, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men and early detection is the best prevention.

However, recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) cast doubt on whether the potential risks associated with PSA screening are worth the reward. Research suggests those risks may be exaggerated.

The long-term benefits of the PSA test for prostate cancer may outweigh any potential harm according to a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). While current guidelines advise patients and physicians to determine the value of routine PSA screening on a case-by-case basis, researchers suggest that perceptions of PSA tests as ineffective are based on overstated harms and point to evidence showing that screenings can reduce death rates and prevent metastatic disease.

Jul

Prostate cancer patients can choose watchful waiting or active surveillance if they wish to forgo immediate treatment

Prostate Cancer: Watchful Waiting vs. Active Surveillance

By Webmaster Provision

About one out of every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, making it the second most common cancer in American men, behind only skin cancer.¹ However, due to advances in cancer screening awareness and early detection, most men will not die from prostate cancer. In fact, many men who are diagnosed with an early-stage, low-grade cancer may need little to no immediate medical treatment. Instead, they can choose from two different methods of monitoring their prostate cancer: watchful waiting or active surveillance.

For men with prostate cancer, the goal of cancer management methods like watchful waiting and active surveillance is to avoid the side effects caused by cancer treatments like surgery or radiation therapy.

Both watchful waiting and active surveillance are ways of monitoring the cancer for changes, but the reasons for choosing one method over the other are different:

Watchful waiting is better for men who can’t undergo curative treatment. It is meant to manage symptoms by controlling the cancer, but is not intended to cure it.
Active surveillance is better for men who would benefit from curative treatment should the cancer become more aggressive.