Jul
29
Prostate cancer patients can choose watchful waiting or active surveillance if they wish to forgo immediate treatment

Prostate Cancer: Watchful Waiting vs. Active Surveillance

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About one out of every nine 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.

Prostate cancer patients may wish to forgo immediate treatment, and instead use watchful waiting or active surveillance when:

  • There are no symptoms present
  • Gleason score indicates a slow-growing cancer
  • PSA level is relatively low (less than 10ng/mL)
  • Tumor size is small
  • Cancer has not spread beyond the prostate

In this article, we’ll explain the differences between watchful waiting and active surveillance, and which patients might be better suited for each. We’ll also look at the advantages and disadvantages of both methods and discuss your next steps if you’d like to discuss your diagnosis with a physician.

ABOUT WATCHFUL WAITING

Watchful waiting is used when there are no symptoms present. It involves closely monitoring a patient’s condition, but not treating the prostate cancer unless symptoms appear or change. During watchful waiting, men may undergo occasional prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests or digital rectal exams (DRE), but this method mainly relies on watching for symptoms of prostate cancer.

You may also hear watchful waiting referred to as observation, watch and wait, or wait and see.

Men with other chronic, potentially life-threatening illnesses are best suited for watchful waiting because the risk of possible side effects from other treatments, like surgery or radiation therapy, could outweigh the benefits. Older men may also benefit from watchful waiting because other treatments may not help them live any longer, and the cancer isn’t likely to impact their quality of life.

If symptoms appear or change during watchful waiting, a patient may choose to discuss other treatment options, such as hormone therapy. Symptoms to look for during watchful waiting include frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty stopping/starting urination, blood in the urine, painful or burning sensation during urination, dull pain in the lower pelvis, and widespread pain in the lower back, hips or thighs.

Typically, treatment during watchful waiting is not meant to cure the cancer, but rather control it to help manage the patient’s symptoms.

Advantages of Watchful Waiting

  • Passive approach with fewer tests
  • Avoids side effects of surgery or radiation therapy
  • Cancer may never need to be treated

Disadvantages of Watchful Waiting

  • Cancer could grow or spread between follow-ups, making treatment harder
  • Patient must live with anxiety of having cancer, worry about it growing
  • Family members may worry and not understand why you aren’t treating the cancer

ABOUT ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE

Active surveillance is a more aggressive form of monitoring prostate cancer than watchful waiting. It involves a regular testing schedule, including a PSA test every six months and a DRE at least once a year. Imaging tests and prostate biopsies are also usually performed every one to three years.

You may also hear active surveillance referred to as active monitoring or deferred therapy.

The goal of active surveillance is to avoid or delay the need for other treatments like surgery or radiation therapy. This helps the patient avoid possible side effects like erectile dysfunction and incontinence for as long as possible.

If test results show that the prostate cancer is getting worse, a patient may choose to stop active surveillance and start a treatment plan designed to cure the cancer. Since treatment may ultimately be necessary, patients who are best suited for active surveillance include:

  • Men with slow-growing cancer that has not spread beyond prostate
  • Men whose benefit from surgery or radiation outweighs the risk

Advantages of Active Surveillance

  • Avoid sexual, urinary or bowel side effects for as long as possible
  • Regular testing means cancer is more closely monitored
  • Cancer may never need treatment

Disadvantages of Active Surveillance

  • Aggressive approach, more rigorous testing schedule
  • Regular biopsies are necessary
  • Patient must live with anxiety of having cancer, worry about it growing

NEXT STEPS FOR PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS INTERESTED IN WATCHFUL WAITING OR ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it’s important to understand all of your treatment options, and the possible side effects of each. This includes the options of watchful waiting or active surveillance. Your physician will consider many factors when helping you choose a treatment plan including: PSA level, tumor size, Gleason score (grade), cancer stage, age, overall health, family history, race, ethnicity and personal preference.

The board-certified radiation oncologists at Provision CARES Proton Therapy are experts in prostate cancer treatment. When you schedule a consultation with one of our physicians, they will be able to discuss the specifics of your prostate cancer diagnosis, and help determine whether watchful waiting or active surveillance may be beneficial for you.

They can also discuss your next steps and treatment options, including proton therapy, which is an advanced form of radiation therapy that reduces treatment-related complications and side effects compared to traditional x-ray radiation.

As a first step in moving forward with your cancer care, we recommend calling the Provision location nearest you. Our Cancer Care Experts can speak with you about your diagnosis, answer any questions you may have and, if desired, schedule you for an in-person or telehealth consultation with one of our physicians.

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As part of the Provision CARES Cancer Network, Provision CARES Proton Therapy has locations in Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn. If you or someone you know has cancer, we encourage you to call a Provision treatment center near you. One of our Cancer Care Experts can speak to you about your specific diagnosis and help determine if proton therapy is right for you.

1. National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html

Jul
20
Delaying cancer screening tests during COVID puts patients at risk

Delayed Cancer Screenings in COVID-19 Era Put Patients at Risk

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When the COVID-19 pandemic began, life as we knew it came to an abrupt halt. That included routine healthcare visits, as many providers postponed appointments and cancer screening tests that were deemed “non-essential.”

In the United States alone, an estimated 22 million cancer screening tests were disrupted by COVID-19 from April to June 2020. As a result, about 80,000 patients could be at risk for delayed or missed diagnoses.

The IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science recently published these estimates as part of its report on shifts in healthcare demand, delivery and care during the COVID-19 era. In this article, we’ll look at how diagnostic procedures for some of the most common cancers are impacted. We’ll also share some tips to help you move forward with your cancer-related care in a timely and safe manner.

DRAMATIC DROP IN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

The IQVIA report looked at insurance claims for five of the most common cancer screening tests – breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate – and found a significant reduction across the board as a result of COVID-19.

“Claim codes for diagnostics commonly used to screen and monitor for cancer were generally stable from March 2019 through February 2020,” noted the report’s authors. “However, as the country prepared for COVID by canceling/postponing non-essential visits, procedure codes throughout March declined dramatically, coming to a near stand-still for some tests by the first week in April.”

The number of cancer screenings during COVID dropped by up to 90%

As you can see in the chart above, colorectal cancer screenings took the biggest hit. In the week ending April 10, 2020, claims filed for colonoscopies dropped by 90%. Mammograms for breast cancer screening saw a similar decline (87%), as did pap smears for cervical cancer screening (83%).

The number of CT scans related to lung cancer and PSA tests for prostate cancer was also lower, but the reductions weren’t quite as dramatic.

While PSA tests did drop by 60%, some physicians may have opted to continue with scheduled screenings in order to adhere to the patient’s testing plan. This is because the severity of a potential prostate tumor is often measured by how much time it takes for the PSA level to double.

The report’s authors also reasoned that the lower rate of disruption for CT scans (a 39% reduction) could be due to the generally more serious nature of lung cancer. Physicians may have also been trying to rule out COVID-related issues in the lungs for some patients.

RISK OF MISSED CANCER SCREENINGS DURING COVID ERA

Using the screening data from early April, the IQVIA report went on to project how many patients could miss a diagnostic procedure between April and June 2020, and the risk that would create for potentially delayed or missed diagnoses.

More than 80,000 patients may have delayed or missed diagnoses because of delayed cancer screenings during COVID

In the chart above, you can see the estimated reduction in the number of tests ranges from 30 to 72 percent, depending on the cancer type. As a result, COVID-19 potentially disrupted more than 22 million cancer screening tests overall. That included an astonishing 13.2 million fewer pap smears and 7.2 million fewer mammograms over the three-month period.

It’s important to note that not all abnormal test results lead to a cancer diagnosis. With the rate of positive cancer diagnosis per test in mind, the report’s authors determined the reduction in screenings could put more than 80,000 patients at risk for a delayed or missed diagnosis. Breast cancer is estimated to be the most impacted (36,000 patients), followed by prostate cancer (22,600) and colorectal cancer (18,800).

A delayed diagnosis could ultimately lead to a more advanced cancer when it is diagnosed. Not only will that have negative impacts on a patient’s prognosis, but it could also have long-term effects on our healthcare system.

“Current excess healthcare capacity to catch-up on missed tests and associated cancer treatments would require providers to shift priorities to make time and space in schedules and facilities,” said the IQVIA report authors. “An immediate return to previous volumes of testing and care will require substantial reallocation of resources and likely last months after social distancing rules are relaxed.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR CARE

Provision CARES Proton Therapy is a strong advocate for timely cancer screening and treatment. As such, we have developed a list of guidelines to help you move forward with your care and avoid putting yourself at higher risk.

First and foremost, we encourage you to call your primary care physician and discuss any regularly scheduled procedures like a mammogram, pap smear, colonoscopy or PSA test. Based on your medical history, your provider can help you determine whether it’s appropriate to continue with your cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic or delay it.

If you do receive a cancer diagnosis, we can help you move forward with your cancer care in a timely and safe manner. Depending on your diagnosis, it may be appropriate to delay treatment until the COVID risk is lowered. However, some patients may be better off beginning their cancer treatment immediately. As a first step after your diagnosis, we recommend calling the Provision treatment location nearest you to speak with one of our Cancer Care Experts. They can discuss your specific diagnosis and, if necessary, schedule you for a consultation with one of our physicians.

During your consultation, you’ll be able to meet with one of our board-certified Radiation Oncologists. They will be able to answer any questions you may have about your diagnosis and review all of your treatment options, as well as the possible side effects of each.

Provision offers both telehealth and in-person consultations. Telehealth consultations allow you to speak directly with a physician from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Some patients may benefit more from an in-person consultation. We encourage you to follow the CDC’s guidelines for leaving your house for doctor visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. When you arrive at our facility, rest assured we have established our own standards of excellence to keep our patients, visitors and employees safe. All Provision cancer centers are stand-alone medical facilities, which helps limit your exposure to others compared to a busier hospital setting.

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As part of the Provision CARES Cancer Network, Provision CARES Proton Therapy has locations in Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn. If you or someone you know has cancer, we encourage you to call a Provision treatment center near you. One of our Cancer Care Experts can speak to you about your specific diagnosis and help determine if proton therapy is right for you.

 

Nov
22
Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung Cancer awareness efforts focus on smoking prevention

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Lung Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to educating the public about the prevalence of the disease in the United States, and providing resources on prevention, screening and treatment.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer will kill more than 140,000 people in 2019, making it by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. It is the second most common cancer in both men and women (not counting skin cancer). For men, prostate cancer is the only cancer more common, while in women breast cancer is more common.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. The ACS reports 80% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking.1 However, non-smokers can also develop the disease. This could be caused by exposure to radon, secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, diesel exhaust or other chemicals.

PREVENTION IS KEY

With such a high percentage of lung cancer cases linked to smoking, efforts to reduce the prevalence of the disease are largely focused on kicking the tobacco habit.

“Smoking continues to be the #1 most preventable cause of death and disease in the U.S.,” says Kerri Thompson, Public Health Educator for the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) in Knoxville, Tenn. “It kills so many people and it’s something that can be prevented.”

Thompson spearheads KCHD’s tobacco prevention programs, which focus on three main areas: Youth Prevention, Secondhand Smoke Reduction and Smoking Cessation (quitting). Through educational programs designed to teach children about the dangers of smoking, KCHD hopes to dramatically reduce tobacco product usage in our next generation.

“We’re trying to change the trajectory so, hopefully, we can have an impact on lung cancer,” Thompson notes. “Having (our youth) not use tobacco or not be addicted to nicotine in the first place is really key to addressing the huge impact that smoking has on society.”

Knox County’s programs aimed at youth education actually have a trickle-down effect, impacting its Secondhand Smoke Reduction and Smoking Cessation efforts, as well. Children tend to share resources they receive in school with their parents in hopes they will then try to quit. One of these resources is the Tennessee Tobacco Quitline. This is a free service that offers personalized support from counselors who are trained to help you kick the habit. More resources to help you quit smoking can be found at Smokefree.gov.

When it comes to quitting, Thompson says relapse is common, so persistence is very important. “When someone quits smoking, on average it takes seven to 10 times for someone to quit for good. Many people think since they’ve been smoking for years, the damage is already done, so what’s the point in quitting.” However, if there’s one thing she hopes people take away from Knox County’s education and prevention efforts, it’s this – “It’s never too late to quit.”

LUNG CANCER SCREENING CAN SAVE LIVES

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), risk factors for lung cancer include tobacco use, secondhand smoke, family history, HIV infection and environmental risks like exposure to asbestos, radon  or other substances. If you believe you may be at risk for lung cancer, you should start by speaking to your doctor. A general practitioner can perform an assessment, then offer advice for your next step. This could be a referral to a pulmonologist or oncologist, or a prescription for nicotine replacement therapy. Since early detection is so important, at-risk individuals may also benefit from a lung cancer screening.

The NCI says the most effective type of screening is a low-dose spiral Computed Tomography (CT) scan. In its National Lung Screening Trial, the NCI studied people between 55 and 74 years old who had smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or more. They compared low-dose spiral CT scans with another type of screening, chest x-rays. Researchers observed a 20% lower risk of dying from lung cancer in people who received low-dose spiral CT scan screenings.2

Fortunately, there are resources available to help people get screened. The American Lung Association (ALA) offers an online quiz to help you determine whether you are at risk. The ALA can also help you find information about insurance coverage and screening facilities near you.

In an effort to make lung cancer screenings more accessible, CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn. brings low-dose CT scans into the community with its Breathe Easy mobile lung CT coach. The bus serves counties from three different states in the Southeast.

PROTON THERAPY AS A TREATMENT

Given the serious prognosis of lung cancer, it’s important to evaluate all your treatment options before making any decisions. Treatment for lung cancer is based mainly on the type (non-small cell vs. small cell) and the stage of the cancer. Other factors like a person’s health and lung function should also be considered. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Doctors and scientists have been studying the results of proton therapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One study in particular showed that patients with Stage 3 NSCLC who were treated with proton therapy experienced lower rates of lung and esophagus inflammation compared to patients treated with traditional (x-ray/IMRT) radiation.3

Proton therapy for lung cancer treatment is non-invasive and usually painless. Physicians provide doses of radiation to specific areas, controlling the depth of the protons emitted and reducing the impact on the surrounding tissue. Provision CARES Proton Therapy uses a technique known as pencil beam scanning, which provides precise dose of radiation to targeted areas, resulting in a decreased risk of side effects. Proton therapy decreases the risk of damage to healthy tissue and organs surrounding the cancer. This is because the unique physical properties of protons allow the radiation dose to better conform to your cancer, avoiding unnecessary radiation to nearby areas. This is especially important for lung cancer treatment because the tumor may be close to your heart, healthy lung and other critical organs.

Since each cancer diagnosis is unique, we encourage anyone seeking treatment options to speak with one of our Cancer Care Experts to see if proton therapy is right for you.

 

Sources

  1. American Cancer Society. What Causes Lung Cancer? Read More
  2. National Cancer Institute. National Lung Screening Trial. Read More
  3. National Cancer Database Analysis of Proton Versus Photon Radiaion Therapy in NSCLC. Read More
  4. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Lung Cancer. Read More
  5. Proton Beam Radiotherapy and Concurrent Chemotherapy for Unresectable Stage III Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Final Results of a Phase 2 Study. Read More
  6. High-dose hypofractionated proton beam radiation therapy is safe and effective for central and peripheral early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: results of a 12-year experience at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Fractionation 10 for PBT vs 6-8 weeks for IMRT. Read More

 

Oct
30
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Facts: 5 Common Myths Debunked

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One of the toughest parts about researching breast cancer online is trying to sort fact from fiction. The internet is full of half-truths, conflicting reports and flat-out myths about the disease. Provision CARES Proton Therapy is committed to our Culture of CARE, putting the patient experience first. So, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re debunking five of our most commonly heard myths. All of these breast cancer facts have been verified for quality and accuracy by our cancer care experts to help you make an informed decision about your healthcare.

MYTH: I found a lump in my breast, so I have cancer.

TRUTH: Lumps don’t always indicate cancer. Likewise, the absence of lumps doesn’t always mean you don’t have breast cancer.

While the most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump, most breast lumps are caused by conditions other than cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the two most common causes are fibrocystic breast condition and cysts. Fibrocystic condition causes noncancerous changes in the breast that can make them lumpy, while cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that develop in the breast.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) says lumps are more likely to be cancerous if they are painless, hard and have irregular edges. However, some breast cancers can be painful, soft or round. That’s why you should always check with your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts.

There are many other symptoms of breast cancer, even if a lump is not detected. These can include swelling of the breast, skin dimpling, breast or nipple pain, nipples turning inward, red or flaking breast skin, nipples discharging fluids other than breast milk, and swollen lymph nodes under your arm or around your collar bone. The ACS recommends contacting your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

MYTH: Breast cancer only happens to older women.

TRUTH: Breast cancer can develop in younger women, too, as well as men.

While your risk does increase with age, the NCI reports women in their 30s have a 1 in 208 chance of developing breast cancer. By the time a woman reaches her 40s, that risk has increased to 1 in 65. Overall, it’s estimated that 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in her life.7

Breast cancer in men accounts for less than 1% of cases in the United States. However, the ACS says male breast cancer is on the rise.1 Unfortunately, a higher percentage of men are diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer, likely a result of less awareness and fewer early-detection screenings.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and would like to learn more about proton therapy as a possible treatment, please visit our Proton Benefits page or contact a Care Coordinator.

MYTH: My family has no history of breast cancer, so I am not at risk.

TRUTH: While a family history of breast cancer does put you at greater risk, most women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.1

According to the CDC, a family history of breast cancer may put you at higher risk for the disease, but is not indicative of whether you’ll actually develop cancer.2 In fact, the ACS says most women with one or more affected first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) will still never be diagnosed.

The CDC provides a table with examples of average, moderate and strong family health histories, along with suggestions for preventative measures each group can take. Regardless of your family history, the CDC recommends you get mammograms and other breast exams as recommended by your doctor, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. As family history of breast cancer increases, genetic counseling becomes an option to test for hereditary breast cancer. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what screenings are best for you and when you should get them.

MYTH: A double mastectomy will eliminate my risk of breast cancer.

TRUTH: If the cancer is detected early enough, other treatment options can eliminate the cancer without removing the entire breast.

A mastectomy involves removing the entire breast and is typically performed when breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) is not an option. However, women with early-stage cancers can typically choose between the two types of surgeries. The ACS notes that while it’s normal for your gut reaction to be to “take out all the cancer as quickly as possible” with a mastectomy, the fact is that, most of the time, a lumpectomy combined with radiation therapy results in the same outcome.

Many patients at Provision CARES Proton Therapy choose to combine a lumpectomy with proton radiation therapy. Proton therapy for breast cancer treatment is non-invasive and painless, causing less cosmetic damage than conventional x-ray radiation. It is extremely precise and therefore more effective at targeting cancerous cells without causing damage to surrounding breast tissue. Because proton radiation has little to no impact on a patient’s energy level, quality of life during treatment is improved.

For women who do opt for a mastectomy, it’s important to remember that post-surgery treatment is still necessary. Even after removing the breast, there’s a small chance the cancer could recur on residual breast tissue or the chest wall. You should continue to perform self-breast exams and see your doctor on a regular basis.

MYTH: Antiperspirants and wire bras can cause breast cancer.

TRUTH: There has been no conclusive evidence linking antiperspirants or bras to breast cancer.

Rumors have swirled across the internet claiming underarm antiperspirants cause breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says the basis of these claims is the aluminum-based active ingredient in antiperspirants. Some scientists have suggested that absorbing these aluminum compounds into your skin could increase your risk factor for breast cancer.4 Still, no clear link has ever been established between antiperspirants and breast cancer. In fact, the NCI even cites a study from 2002 that concluded there is no increase in risk for breast cancer among women who reported using an underarm antiperspirant.3

Another rumor making its rounds across cyberspace is that wearing a wire bra can increase your risk of breast cancer. This myth was debunked by a 2014 study published by the American Association for Cancer Research. According to the authors, it had been suggested in the media that bras impede lymph circulation and drainage, interfering with the process of waste and toxin removal.6 However, the study concluded that wearing a bra had no effect on your risk of breast cancer.

Sources:

  1. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2017-2018. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2017-2018.pdf
  2. Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Family History Risk Categories. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/breast_ovarian_cancer/risk_categories.htm
  3. National Cancer Institute. Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk.html
  4. Darbre PD. Aluminium, antiperspirants and breast cancer.Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 2005; 99(9):1912–1919. [PubMed Abstract]
  5. Mirick DK, Davis S, Thomas DB. Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer.Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2002; 94(20):1578–1580. [PubMed Abstract]
  6. RayCC. Q and A – Bras and Cancer [Internet]. NY times; 2010 [cited 2013 Dec. 16]. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/science/16qna.html?ref=science.
  7. Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al. (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2016, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD,https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2016/, based on November 2018 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2019.

 

Sep
04

Free PSA level screenings offered throughout East Tennessee

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Eddie Check® and the Provision CARES Foundation Team Up for Blood Drive and Free PSA Screenings

Available at 16 different East Tennessee locations across 10 counties on September 12th & 13th.

Unbelievably, One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime – and one in 41 will die from it. Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer in American men and second only to lung cancer as the leading cancer-based cause of death in American men. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the U.S. during 2019, about 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and 31,620 men will die from it.

But there’s still good news. If prostate cancer is caught early, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%. The numbers say it all: Get tested!  Prostate cancer is rare before age 40, so if you are 40 or older, the first step is a free, simple PSA screening that only requires a blood sample. “PSA” stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by prostate cells. The PSA test is done to help diagnose and follow prostate cancer in men.  No certain PSA level is called normal or abnormal, and an elevated level does not mean you have prostate cancer – only a biopsy can diagnose cancer. Always discuss PSA test results with your doctor and be sure to have a digital rectal exam (DRE), as about 6% of men with prostate cancer continue to have normal PSA.

In 2004, Rockford-based Nisus Corporation, a manufacturer of green products for the pest control and wood preservation industries, teamed up with area hospitals and MEDIC Regional Blood Center to create Eddie Check, an annual event that adds free PSA screening for prostate cancer to blood drives. It was a simple strategy using MEDIC’s already existing resources to make it fast and easy for men to get a blood sample drawn for the screening. Nisus has a personal stake in the fight; marketing vice president Jim Gorman is a prostate cancer survivor, while company president Kevin L. Kirkland lost his father, Eddie Kirkland, to the disease. In fact, “Eddie Check” is named for Eddie Kirkland.

Once again, Nisus, MEDIC, Provision CARES Proton Therapy, and Provision CARES Foundation join with sponsors WIVK FM 107.7, Sports Radio WNML 99.1 FM & 990 AM, NewsTalk 98.7 FM, WVLT, and Abacus Arts, Inc.

Sites and Locations

Thursday, September 12

Friday, September 13

Mar
15
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal Cancer: The Importance of Early Detection and Understanding Screening Options

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Content and information provided by Rebecca Bergeron, RN, BSN, OCN Director of Clinical Services for Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville

This week, we’re going to talk about number two- the second leading cause of cancer death, that is. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable through early detection, yet many people remain unaware of their options for screening. Screening is especially important for preventing colorectal cancer because the disease usually does not have noticeable symptoms until it is advanced. (more…)

Jan
25
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer can increase due to Age, Race and Family History

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Early detection of cancer can be the next best thing to prevention. There are several widely known risk factors for prostate cancer that may increase the probability of a man to develop prostate cancer. Age, race and family history are the most common today. According to ASCO Cancer.Net, “Prostate cancer that runs in a family, called familial prostate cancer, occurs about 20% of the time.” Sources say that shared genes, similar lifestyles and environments play a role in developing familial prostate cancer. Hereditary prostate cancer accounts for almost 5% of cases. This type of gene mutation is passed down within family generations. A few characteristics for hereditary prostate cancer could include: (more…)

Nov
03

Proton Therapy: The Successful Treatment For Prostate Cancer You Should Be Getting

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Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men after skin cancer. Approximately one out of every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their life. However, it’s rare for those who are younger than 40 to develop prostate cancer. Nearly 6 out of 10 prostate cancer patients diagnosed are over the age of 65. In this article, we’ll explain why proton therapy is an ideal treatment option for many prostate cancer patients.
(more…)

Sep
12

Local program combines PSA testing with blood donation

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This year Eddie Check is doing the same thing it’s been doing for the past 14 years: providing prostate cancer screenings and blood donations to the people of East Tennessee.

This year’s event kicks off Thursday, Sept. 14, and will be hosted at 12 sites throughout the Knoxville region on Thursday and Friday. The event offers free PSA screenings to men over 40 years old—blood donations encouraged but not required. (more…)