Dr. David Samadi explains how prostate cancer affects millions of men around the world, how prostate cancer can be detected, what men can do to watch out for it & what can be done to prevent it.
Dr. David Samadi reiterates that in the USA 30,000 men die of prostate cancer each year.
Prostate cancer is known as a silent killer as it’s an asymptomatic disease; men would not know that they have it unless they are tested.
Dr. Samadi states that it’s extremely important that men visit their doctor and get a PSA test, know their PSA score & monitor the trend starting at the age of 40. If there’s a history of prostate cancer in the family, men should be extra cautious.
A PSA test should not be the only indicator to follow in prostate cancer detection as a Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA test) is not a specific protein test for prostate cancer. It only indicates certain developments in the prostate.
Prostate cancer is only detected in 30% of patients with a PSA score over 4. Sometimes an elevated PSA could be a result of an infection in the prostate gland which could be treated with an antibiotic.
In conjunction with the PSA test, Urologists like Dr. David Samadi will also examine a man’s prostate. Factors such as the size of the prostate gland will be evaluated before a diagnosis is made. Approximately 15% of the time, a doctor will feel a nodule. Typically, a prostate will feel very soft and smooth similar to the palm of someone’s hand. If the prostate feels similar to a knuckle the doctor will know that there is a problem and further test will be performed.
MRI, MRI fusion biopsy & urine based PCA3 genetic testing are some available options for patients.
Dr. David Samadi states that ‘the one size fits all approach’ is incorrect id someone is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Surgery is his preferred choice of treatment as the prostate is removed and the only available treatment option with accurate staging.
The PSA after surgery should be zero & will be undetectable.
If prostate cancers recurs after surgery, a patient can consider radiation. However, if a patient gets radiation treatment options such as Cyberknife or seed implants first, surgery cannot be considered as a second line of defense.
Post-surgery incontinence & impotence related to prostate cancer is predominantly in the hands of the surgeon. If surgery is performed by a high volume robotic surgeon like Dr. David Samadi at a center of excellence, patients should expect faster recover and post-surgery normality. The credibility and experience of the surgeon is of utmost importance, as what matters is not the robot, but the surgeon behind the robot.
Dr. Samadi states that lives can be saved if prostate cancer is detected early & contained.
Dr. David Samadi is the Chairman of Urology & Robotics Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. He's also a Fox News Medical-A-Team Contributor & Professor of Urology at Hofstra Northshore LIJ School of Medicine.
Dr. David Samadi Prostate Cancer Center is situated at 485 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10022 | Phone: +1-212-365-5000 (https://goo.gl/maps/mfansYfCMAn)