Published: Jan. 25, 2023 at 10:09 AM EST Reversing a trend that saw the number of new prostate cancer cases drop sharply between 2007 and 2014, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports an increase in prostate cancer incidence between 2014 and 2019. In its annual report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the ACS compiles the most recent data on cancer occurrence and outcomes. This year’s report, Cancer statistics, 2023, includes some worrisome news about prostate cancer. From 2014 to 2019, the incidence rate increased by about 3% each year. That means nearly 100,000 more cases o ..read more

When Steve was diagnosed with prostate cancer, his doctor laid out a few treatment options to consider, including proton therapy. “I was looking at surgery, seed implants, and two or three others, but the one was I was looking at the most was proton therapy because it’s so non-invasive.” He scheduled consultations at various cancer centers to discuss the pros and cons of each potential treatment. Having heard rave reviews about proton therapy from friends, he purposely scheduled his visit to Provision CARES Proton Therapy after all the others. “I just wanted to save the best for last and I’m g ..read more

A national survey of prostate cancer patients shows that proton therapy side effects have less impact on quality of life compared to patients who choose other treatment options. The benefits of proton therapy for prostate cancer are well-documented by clinical research, and these patient-reported outcomes further verify the advantages. SURVEYING PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS The survey was conducted by Bryant Research, an independent research firm based in Tennessee. It profiled 755 men between the ages of 50-75 who had been treated for prostate cancer. All respondents were treated at least 12 mo ..read more

When it comes to cancer screenings, there can be some confusion as to what tests are recommended, who should be getting them, and how often. Since February is National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month, we thought it would be a good time to review the cancer screening guidelines for 2022. Following these testing recommendations, along with making healthy lifestyle choices, can help lower your risk regarding certain cancers. The guidelines we’ll reference in this article come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on the recommendations of the United States Preventive ..read more

One of the keys to detecting prostate cancer early is understanding the most common risk factors. Since September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, this article will focus on raising awareness of early detection. By knowing which groups of men are most at risk, you’ll be better equipped to make educated decisions about when to begin screening and what to ask your doctor. While all men are inherently at risk, there are several well-documented risk factors that increase your odds of being diagnosed. Most of these are broad generalizations based on certain demographics. They include age, race ..read more

The COVID pandemic has led to an increase in delayed cancer screenings. Many people postponed routine tests that could help with early detection, such as the PSA test for prostate cancer. That makes this year’s Eddie Check more important than ever. After postponing the annual blood drive and free PSA screening event in 2020 due to COVID, organizers are hard at work to make the 2-day event more successful than ever in 2021. On Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10, men will have access to a free PSA screening, which can indicate various prostate issues, such as infection, inflammation ..read more

The first time James walked through the doors at Provision CARES Proton Therapy, he knew he’d made the right decision. He hadn’t even spoken with a physician yet or stepped foot into a treatment room. He hadn’t even gotten the proton therapy brochure that he’d come to pick up in the first place. On Day 1, as he stood in the lobby waiting for that brochure – an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis looming large on his mind – a man approached him. As is often the case in the Provision lobby, the two strangers got to talking. They talked about cancer. They talked about proton therapy. They talked ..read more

The number of American cancer deaths from 2017 to 2018 dropped by 2.4%, marking a record single-year drop for the second year in a row. These new stats were published in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Cancer Facts & Figures report, which also reveals more positive news regarding the long-term direction of cancer death rates. LONG-TERM DECLINE IN AMERICAN CANCER DEATHS From 1991 through 2018, researchers saw death rates drop continuously with an overall decrease of 31%. Furthermore, while efforts to reduce death rates for other leading causes of death in the U.S. have slowed, th ..read more

Writing a “Year in Review” blog feels a little different in 2020. We typically think back fondly on the year that was; remembering the moments that made it so great. For most of us though, “great” might not be the first word that comes to mind when we think of 2020. A global pandemic gripped the world and brought with it fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and unfortunately, tragedy. While we can’t ignore the reality of 2020, we can still choose to look beyond the surface of it. We can choose to find the positive, the admirable, and the inspirational. Here are some of the highlights from 2020 at Provi ..read more

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and it’s common to hear public service announcements reminding men to get a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Afterall, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men and early detection is the best prevention. However, recent recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) cast doubt on whether the potential risks associated with PSA screening are worth the reward. Now though, new research suggests those risks may be exaggerated. The long-term benefits of the PSA test for prostate cancer may ..read more