Prostate cancer cases are on the rise, but treatment and screening innovation can improve patient outcomes while maximizing quality of life. U.S. prostate cancer diagnoses have been increasing over recent years, with hundreds-of-thousands of new annual cases. While prevention can be difficult because of non-modifiable risk factors, screening advances can dramatically increase the odds of early detection, and ultimately, survival. “Prostate cancer is an asymptomatic disease, and because of that, we strongly recommend that patients undergo PSA screening so that the condition can be detected at early and more treatable stages,” says Akshay Sood, MD, a urologic oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). Read on as Sood shares important info about prostate cancer that can save and improve lives now and in the future. Undergo PSA screening “Early detection is the key to reducing the risk of dying from prostate cancer, and to do so, the key is to pursue PSA screening at the right time, which can vary depending on the risk factors such as age, race and family history of prostate cancer or even breast cancer. The guidelines usually recommend that most men should start PSA screening between ages 45 and 50, but those with strong histories of prostate cancer in other family members should consider starting even earlier, such as at age 40.” Click here to learn more about prostate cancer, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at The Ohio State University. Prevention is difficult, so focus on early detection “The risk of dying from prostate cancer is likely going to increase mainly because of the aging population. While there are some behaviors, such as leading a healthy lifestyle, that can potentially reduce risk, unfortunately, there isn’t much a lot we can do to prevent prostate cancer because of non-modifiable risk factors. But, people can certainly reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer, and that’s by diagnosing the condition at early stages through PSA screening.” Active surveillance is often the best treatment “Not all prostate cancers are same, and for low-risk cases, active surveillance is the recommended treatment according to NCCN guidelines. Active Surveillance includes PSA monitoring, MRI imaging and regular prostate biopsies. The goal of active surveillance is to ensure that we do not lose the window of cure for prostate cancer while maximizing patients’ functional quality of life by not impacting their sexual and/or urinary function. Active surveillance isn’t an alternative to prostate cancer treatment — it is prostate cancer treatment.” The importance of comprehensive prostate cancer care “At the OSUCCC – James, we strive to provide every prostate cancer patient with personalized care while adhering to the highest standards of evidence. We have a multidisciplinary team of urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and pathologists. We all come together to provide the best treatment possible for patients, utilizing novel techniques such as MRI of the prostate, fusion and transparent biopsies and more to minimize the risk associated with prostate cancer diagnosis. After diagnosis, we utilize the latest techniques of radiation therapy and surgical therapy to save and improve the lives of our patients.” Click here to learn more about prostate cancer screening at the OSUCCC – James.