Prostate Cancer Awareness Month & Urology Awareness Month
Advanced Prostate Cancer Care. Expert Urology. Close to Home.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and Urology Awareness Month are an important reminder to take your health seriously. From prostate cancer screening and early detection to advanced treatment for diagnosed cancer, Advanced Urology Associates provides comprehensive urologic care for men throughout the Chicagoland area.
Our board-certified urologists combine experience, advanced diagnostic technology and state-of-the-art treatment options through our Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence. We provide personalized care designed around each patient’s diagnosis, health, lifestyle and treatment goals.
With convenient locations in Joliet, Morris, and New Lenox, Illinois, expert prostate and urologic care is close to home.
Concerned about prostate cancer or your urologic health? Call 815.409.4930 to schedule an appointment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Starts With Knowing Your Risk
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States, other than skin cancer. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Risk increases with age, and family history and certain inherited genetic changes can also increase a man’s risk.
One of the most important things to know about prostate cancer is that early-stage disease often causes no symptoms. That is why conversations about screening and individual risk are so important. Detecting prostate cancer earlier may provide more treatment options and allow physicians to develop an appropriate treatment plan before the disease advances.
At Advanced Urology Associates, our urologists can help you understand your individual risk and determine whether prostate cancer screening is appropriate for you.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
There is no single known cause of prostate cancer. Instead, several factors can influence a man’s risk of developing the disease.
Age
The risk of prostate cancer increases as men get older. Most prostate cancers are diagnosed in older men.
Family History
Having a father, brother or other close relative who has had prostate cancer can increase your risk. A strong family history may also indicate an inherited genetic risk.
Genetic Factors
Certain inherited gene changes can increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. Men with a significant family history of prostate, breast, ovarian or other related cancers may want to discuss genetic risk with their physician.
Other Risk Factors
Researchers continue to study additional factors that may influence prostate cancer risk. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will develop prostate cancer, and some men diagnosed with prostate cancer have no obvious risk factors.
Know your risk. Know your options. Talk with an Advanced Urology Associates physician about prostate cancer screening.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
- Difficulty starting or maintaining urination
- A weak or slow urinary stream
- Frequent urination, particularly at night
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
More advanced prostate cancer can cause pain in the back, hips, ribs or other bones, weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
It is important to remember that these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. Urinary symptoms, for example, are commonly caused by benign prostate conditions such as BPH. However, any new or persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.
Prostate Cancer Screening & Early Detection
Because prostate cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, screening can play an important role in detecting the disease.
Depending on your age, health, family history and individual risk factors, your urologist may recommend a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, a digital rectal exam (DRE), or additional testing.
If a PSA test or physical examination raises concern, additional evaluation may be recommended. This can include imaging and prostate biopsy to determine whether cancer is present and, if so, help determine the characteristics of the cancer.
Advanced Prostate Cancer Detection at Advanced Urology Associates
Advanced Urology Associates offers UroNav Fusion Biopsy technology at our Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence.
UroNav combines multiparametric MRI imaging with real-time ultrasound to help physicians identify and target suspicious areas of the prostate during biopsy. This advanced approach can help physicians more precisely evaluate areas of concern and detect cancers that may otherwise be missed.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Every prostate cancer diagnosis is different. Treatment recommendations depend on factors such as the cancer’s stage, grade, PSA level, overall health and individual treatment goals.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
Active Surveillance
Some prostate cancers grow slowly and may not require immediate treatment. Active surveillance involves closely monitoring the cancer through scheduled testing and examinations, with treatment initiated if there are signs that the cancer is progressing.
Surgery
For appropriate patients, surgery may be recommended to remove the prostate and surrounding tissues containing cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation uses high-energy treatment to destroy cancer cells. Radiation may be used as a primary treatment or in combination with other therapies.
Ablative Treatments
Certain prostate cancers may be treated with focal or ablative technologies designed to destroy targeted cancerous tissue. Treatment eligibility depends on the location, size and characteristics of the tumor.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy, also called androgen deprivation therapy, reduces or blocks hormones that can help prostate cancer grow. It may be used for certain localized, recurrent or advanced prostate cancers.
Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer
When prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate, treatment may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, radiation or combinations of treatments depending on the individual diagnosis.
Modern prostate cancer care increasingly uses a personalized approach, selecting treatments based on the characteristics and stage of each patient’s cancer.
More Than Prostate Cancer Care: Complete Urologic Health
Urology is about much more than prostate cancer.
Your urinary and reproductive systems can affect your overall health, comfort, sexual health and quality of life. Regular urologic care can help identify and treat a wide range of conditions before they become more serious.
Advanced Urology Associates provides comprehensive care for conditions affecting the:
- Prostate
- Kidneys
- Bladder
- Urinary tract
- Male reproductive system
- Sexual health
- Men’s health
- Women’s urologic health
Our physicians treat conditions including BPH and enlarged prostate, kidney stones, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, urinary tract conditions, sexual dysfunction, low testosterone, infertility and urologic cancers.
Whether you are experiencing a change in urinary function, concerned about prostate health or simply want to understand your risk for prostate cancer, our team is here to help.
Advanced Urology. Advanced Prostate Cancer Care
At Advanced Urology Associates, you don’t have to travel far to receive advanced urologic and prostate cancer care.
Our board-certified urologists bring advanced training, experience and technology together to provide personalized care throughout your diagnosis and treatment journey.
Our Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment capabilities, including advanced prostate cancer detection with UroNav Fusion Biopsy technology.
Convenient Locations Throughout the Area
Joliet, IL
Advanced Urology Associates Cancer Center
1541 Riverboat Center Drive
Joliet, IL 60431
Morris, IL
1401 Lakewood Dr., Unit 3
Morris, IL 60450
New Lenox, IL
Silver Cross Hospital
1851 Silver Cross Blvd., Pavilion D, Suite 250
New Lenox, IL 60451
Take Charge of Your Prostate Health
Prostate cancer awareness shouldn’t stop in September. Understanding your risk, recognizing potential symptoms and talking with a urologist about screening can be important steps in protecting your health.
Don’t wait for symptoms to take action. Talk with a board-certified urologist about your prostate health and whether screening is right for you.
Schedule Your Prostate Cancer Screening or Consultation
Call Advanced Urology Associates today at 815.409.4930 to schedule an appointment.
Our experienced urology team is here to provide the advanced technology, expert care and personalized treatment options you need, close to home.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Locations
Advanced Urology treats prostate cancer in patients from Aurora, Bolingbrook, Bourbonnais, Chicago, Crest Hill, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Joliet, Lombard, Lockport, New Lenox, Mokena, Morris, Naperville, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Park Ridge, Plainfield, Romeoville, Tinley Park, Wheaton and Woodridge.
Questions About Prostate Cancer Screening or Treatments?
For more information, please give our adult urology experts at Advanced Urology Associates a call at 815.409.4930 or request an appointment or a screening today.