If you’re one of the 1 in 6 American men diagnosed with prostate cancer, we know how concerning that can be. But at Central Maine Healthcare, you can count on the most effective treatments available to help conquer the condition and lead a longer, active life.

About Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland found in men just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells in the prostate grow abnormally. Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from the gland cells that make the prostate fluid that is added to the semen.

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men. Prostate cancer is mostly diagnosed in men over age 65 and becomes increasingly common with advancing age. It also is more common in African-American men than in Caucasian, Hispanic or Asian-American men.

Fortunately, most prostate cancers are slow growing, easily diagnosed and highly treatable.

Prevention

While there’s no proven strategy to prevent prostate cancer, there are some ways you may help lower your risk. Start by understanding the prostate cancer risk factors that may affect you, and some simple ways you can promote your good health. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, including a father or brother with the disease, we offer complementary genetic cancer counseling to address any concerns.

Detection

Because prostate cancer often develops slowly, many men do not notice any symptoms in the early stages, when it’s easiest to treat. If you’re over 50, Central Maine Healthcare recommends annual prostate cancer screenings to help you stay on top of your health. Our urologists perform these quick and routine tests right in the office. If we find anything abnormal, we’ll also arrange all follow-up tests, including the latest in ultrasound-guided biopsy. To learn more about the state of the art technology, ExactVue, we use to detect abnormalities earlier and with greater accuracy click here: Urology | Central Maine Healthcare (cmhc.org)

Treatment

If you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, rest assured you’re in highly skilled and caring hands. Our multi-skilled team will work closely with you to create a cancer treatment plan We offer the most advanced technology available, including the Versa HD accelerator, which delivers high-dose, highly-precise radiation to kill cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. All treatments are designed to help protect the delicate nerves that control urinary and sexual function.   

Support

Throughout your journey, you’ll find a variety of cancer support services to meet your physical, emotional, spiritual and financial needs. That includes support groups as well as your own nurse navigator to coordinate all of your care, connect you to valuable resources and answer any questions every step of the way.