September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Austin CyberKnife aims to educate local men on the disease.
Dr. Doug Rivera, medical director of Austin CyberKnife, recommends the following steps to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and educate oneself in the event of a diagnosis:
- Exercise and eat healthy. Recent studies have shown that maintaining a healthy diet and routine exercise can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 53 percent. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce the risk of heart disease and other cancer diagnoses.
- Talk to your doctor. Be proactive about education on the disease and check for family history of prostate cancer. Annual doctor visits can help maintain overall health and detect signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. The American Urological Association recently released a new recommendation that routine prostate cancer screening is no longer recommended for men 40 to 54 years old, but should be considered primarily for those 55 to 69.
- Compare treatment options. Prostate cancer treatment options can vary for each individual depending on factors such as the size and stage of the tumor and the patient’s lifestyle. Men should research all options and seek second opinions before deciding on a treatment plan.
For men who develop prostate cancer, Austin CyberKnife offers CyberKnife® technology to treat prostate cancer with a noninvasive procedure called stereotactic body radiation therapy. During the procedure, tumors are treated with high doses of precisely targeted radiation in five or fewer procedures. Patients typically experience few to no side effects and can return to their daily routines immediately following treatment.
“CyberKnife as a treatment option is particularly important for patients who work or who may be opposed to other forms of treatment due to their potential side effects that can impact quality of life.” Dr. Rivera said. “This technology allows them the flexibility to receive treatment without impacting their daily responsibilities.”
The American Society for Radiation for Oncology recently endorsed SBRT as a first-line treatment option for prostate cancer, establishing SBRT as a primary form of treatment for prostate cancer. ASTRO announced the decision after reviewing the results of long-term clinical trials supporting the safety and efficacy of SBRT. In these studies, patient outcomes with SBRT were consistent with other radiotherapy treatments.