The fear of having prostate cancer can be devastating to men. However, it is most successfully treated when found early. Consider these statistics from the American Cancer Society (ACS):

•    More than 90 percent of all prostate cancers are discovered while they are either localized (confined to the prostate) or regional (nearby). The five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with prostate tumors discovered at these stages is 99.7 percent.

•    In the past 20 years, the five-year survival rate for all stages combined has increased from 67 percent to nearly 100 percent.

Early prostate cancer may not present any symptoms and can only be found with regular prostate examinations by your physician. Do not let fear and anxiety keep you from having the tests you need. These tests can often detect, or help rule out, prostate cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society Facts and Figures, © 2009. www.cancer.org.

Contact Renee Sevy Hasterok, Patient Navigator at the Prostate Cancer Center at Saint Joseph’s at (678) 843-5665 or e-mail rsevy@sjha.org to learn more about free prostate cancer screenings and other early detection options.

Information on this page is provided collaboratively by the team at the Prostate Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's and has been medically reviewed by Rajesh G. Laungani, MD, 2010. Claims regarding treatment are based on years of clinical experience and industry reported data. The PCC follows American Urological Association and  National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Last Updated: October 26, 2010 (RSH)