« Cancer Programs and Services

Prostate Cancer

Early detection. Expert care. Support every step of the way.

Male doctor shaking elderly man's hand

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in American men, second only to skin cancer. It makes up about one-third of all new cancer cases in men and about 10% of cancer deaths.

While these numbers may sound alarming, most prostate cancers grow slowly. Many men live their whole lives without symptoms or needing treatment. In fact, studies show 70–90% of men over age 80 who die from other causes also had prostate cancer that never affected them.

Not every man diagnosed will die from prostate cancer — and not all need immediate treatment. The key is finding it early and knowing all your treatment options.

In the past five years, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Centers have treated more than 1,100 prostate cancer patients. Our survival rates are on par with top national treatment centers.


Risk Factors

Your risk for prostate cancer can be higher if you:

  • Are age 50 or older (most cases are found in this age group).
  • Are Black (higher risk compared to white or Hispanic/Latino men).
  • Have a father or brother who had prostate cancer (more than doubles your risk).

The exact cause is unknown. Prostate cancer is usually slow growing, but if left untreated, it can be life-threatening over time. If caught early, the cure rate can be as high as 97%.

Lowering Your Risk

While you can’t change your age or family history, you may be able to lower your risk by:

  • Eating more foods from plants, such as fruits and vegetables.
  • Getting five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
  • Choosing whole grains.
  • Limiting red meat and processed meats.

More About Prostate Cancer

Screening can help find prostate cancer before symptoms appear. Talk to your doctor about when to start screening based on your age, race, and family history.

Screening tests may include:

  • PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.
  • Digital rectal exam (DRE).
If screening suggests prostate cancer, your doctor may order:
  • Biopsy – taking a small tissue sample to check for cancer cells.
  • Imaging tests like MRI, ultrasound, or CT scans.
HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Centers uses a wide array of diagnostic tests to detect cancer. Accurate identification of cancer allows oncologists to choose the most effective treatment specifically for  you. Our team of experts will help to diagnose your cancer in its early stages, which will improve your recovery.

Axumin® to detect recurrence of prostate cancer
HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Centers is now utilizing a new, state-of-the-art testing technique that helps doctors detect a recurrence of prostate cancer and save lives, better than ever before. The testing is done with an FDA-approved imaging agent called Axumin®, in combination with a positron emission tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT)
 
Prior to a PET /CT scan, the imaging agent, Axumin (also known as a “tracer”), is administered to the patient through an IV. Axumin contains a synthetic amino acid that is absorbed by prostate cancer in the body at a much more rapid pace than normal cells. Like many imaging tracers, it also contains a radioactive element which allows for Axumin to be seen inside the patient’s body during a PET/CT scan. Therefore, if there is a recurrence or metastasis of cancer in the body, the physician will be able to identify the location and extent of the cancer based on where the Axumin fluid collects in greater amounts in the body. Over time and through a natural process, the tracer will become non-radioactive, and much of it will leave your body in your urine.
Your treatment plan will depend on the stage of the cancer, your health, and your preferences. Options may include:
  • Active surveillance – close monitoring without immediate treatment for slow-growing cancer.
  • Surgery – to remove the prostate.
  • Radiation therapy – targets and kills cancer cells.
  • Chemotherapy – medicines to kill cancer cells.
At HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Centers, your care is guided by a team of specialists who work closely together to give you the best treatment possible. Your team may include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, genetic counselors, radiologists, pathologists, clinical research professionals, nurses, and other support staff.

Each week, these experts meet in Tumor Board sessions to review your medical history, test results, and imaging. Together, they design a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs and goals. Between these meetings, your care team stays in close contact, adjusting your plan as needed and supporting you every step of the way.

You can feel confident knowing that every decision is made by a dedicated group of professionals committed to providing you with the most advanced treatment options and compassionate care..
Through the HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Clinical Research Institute, you may have access to clinical trials testing new ways to prevent, find, or treat prostate cancer. Participating in a trial may give you:
  • Access to treatments not widely available.
  • Extra monitoring and care from research experts.
  • The chance to help improve care for future patients.
Ask your doctor if there is a trial that may be right for you.

We’re Here for You

From screenings to treatment and follow-up care, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way.

Contact your primary care provider to learn more about prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Centers.