Prostate Cancer Screening
Take Control of Your Prostate Health with Informed Decisions
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and it often develops without symptoms in early stages. Screening offers an opportunity to detect changes early — potentially before symptoms appear — when treatment options and outcomes are typically more favorable.
At Community Care Physicians, we believe in shared decision‑making. You and your provider will review your individual risk factors, understand the potential benefits and limitations of screening, and decide together whether screening is right for you.
Why Screening Matters
Prostate cancer typically starts in the gland cells of the prostate, a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma. While other rare types can develop — including sarcomas, small cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and transitional cell carcinomas — most men diagnosed with prostate cancer will have adenocarcinoma.
Some prostate cancers grow and spread quickly, but most grow slowly. In fact, autopsy studies have shown that many older men who died of other causes had undetected prostate cancer that never affected their health during their lifetime. Early prostate cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms, that’s why many men are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed. A prostate screening discussion helps you understand your risk and decide if testing aligns with your health goals.
Signs & Symptoms
- Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms, which is why screening can be important. When symptoms do occur — often in more advanced cases — they may include:
- Difficulty passing urine, including a slow or weak stream or frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in the hips, chest, back, or other areas if cancer has spread to the bones
- Weakness in the legs or feet
- Loss of bowel or bladder control if the cancer presses on the spinal cord
At Community Care, we help you understand your risk, the benefits and limitations of screening, and the options available so you can make informed decisions with your healthcare team.
Early Detection, Accurate Diagnosis, Expert Treatment
Screening guidelines are personalized based on age, family history, risk factors, and overall health. Your provider can help determine the best plan, but general guidance includes:
- Age 40: Men at very high risk (multiple first-degree relatives with early prostate cancer) may begin screening discussions.
- Age 45: Men at higher risk, including African American men or those with a first-degree relative diagnosed young, should consider discussing screening.
- Age 50: Men at average risk should discuss whether screening is appropriate.
Screening may include a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and/or a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). Your provider will review your results and guide next steps.
Diagnosis
While PSA and DRE screening tests can raise suspicion, a definitive diagnosis can only be made through a prostate biopsy performed by a urologist. A biopsy involves removing a small tissue sample, which is then examined under a microscope to determine if cancer is present.
Our urology specialists at Community Care Urology will guide you through every step of the diagnostic process, explain the results clearly, and connect you with support services if needed.
Treatment
When prostate cancer is detected while still localized (confined to the prostate), advances in technology and medical care have greatly improved recovery rates. Today, men have multiple treatment options with a high likelihood of cure.
Common Prostate Cancer Treatments
- Expectant management / active surveillance
- Surgery
- Radiation oncology
- Cryosurgery
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Vaccine treatment
- Bone-directed treatment
Treatments may be used individually or in combination, depending on your unique situation. Factors such as age, overall health, and cancer stage help determine the best approach.
Expert Urologic Care
Facing a urologic condition — including prostate cancer — can feel overwhelming. At Community Care Urology, we provide expert, compassionate care using the latest diagnostic tools and minimally invasive treatments, helping you move forward with confidence.
From early testing to surgery and long-term follow-up, we’re with you every step of the way. Advanced in-office testing includes: transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsies and MRI fusion-guided biopsies.
For patients requiring surgery, we offer robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, a minimally invasive approach that often means smaller incisions, faster recovery, and fewer complications.
James Belarmino, MD, MC, USNR, leads our team with a commitment to innovation and patient-first care. Board-certified in urology, he has extensive experience using minimally invasive techniques to treat prostate conditions effectively.
We collaborate across specialties within Community Care to ensure your care is seamless, coordinated, and close to home — so you can focus on what matters most: your health.
Xofigo® Injection for Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer at Image Guided Radiation Therapy
If prostate cancer has spread to your bones, you should ask Image Guided Radiation Therapy about Xofigo®.
Xofigo® is used to treat prostate cancer that is resistant to other medical and surgical treatments that lower testosterone. The medical term for this condition is castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Xofigo® can be used to treat castration-resistant prostate cancer to help slow the spread of your cancer.
Xofigo® is FDA approved. It is an injection that contains the radiactive material radium 223. Radium and calcium have similar chemical properties, since it goes to areas in your bones that are growing quickly (just as calcium does). When you have prostate cancer that has metastasized (or spread) to your bones, this causes your bones to grow and Xofigo® to go to that area. The radiation from Xofigo® is a strong treatment, but only travels short distances. This means the radiation is deadly to the cancer cells, but the damage to nearby healthy cells is limited.
Over the course of your therapy, you will get a total of 6 intravenous injections of Xofigo® – one injection every 4 weeks. The injection will be given over 1 minute. After treatment, you will be able to leave our office and go about your daily activities. You don’t have to be concerned about radioactivity around your loved ones. There are no restrictions regarding contact with other people following your treatments. Radioactivity is primarily eliminated when you go to the bathroom.
Xofigo® has been studied in clinical trails with 921 with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. In addition to the other medication they were taking, some of the men in the study were given Xofigo®. Others were given an injection that did not contain an active drug. The men who received Xofigo® lived significantly longer (median Xofigo® treated patient had overall survival of 14.9 months versus 11.3 months in placebo treated patients).
Xofigo® can be absorbed by organs other than the bone, primarily the bone marrow and digestive system. So, there are potential side effects that should be discussed with the radiation therapists at Image Guided Radiation Therapy.
Most health insurance plans cover Xofigo® injections, including Medicare. Xofigo® Access Service can help determine if your insurance plan covers this treatment.
Call Image Guided Radiation Therapy to discuss if this option is a viable one for you. We are here to help support you and the people who care for you, and are happy to consult with you regarding your options.
For important risk and use information about Xofigo®, please see the full Prescribing Information available at xofigo-us.com.
Next Steps
If you are considering prostate cancer screening or want to learn more about your risk, talk with your primary care provider or urologist. They can guide you through screening, diagnosis, and treatment options tailored to your personal health and lifestyle.