One in six men — more than 192,000 — patients will be diagnosed in the United States this year with prostate cancer. Most will survive thanks to early detection and continuing advancement in both surgical and radiological treatment.
At Providence Holy Cross Cancer Centers in Mission Hills and Santa Clarita, top physicians and the latest treatments have resulted in five-year survival rates that surpass the national average. Committed to preventative efforts, Providence Holy Cross will provide free cancer screenings Friday, September 12, at the Mission Hills medical center. To register, call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464.) Because prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, the American Urological Association recommends a simple rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen blood test — or PSA — for men 40 and over. Other organizations set age 50 as the benchmark, earlier for those with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors.
Providence is the largest provider of oncology services in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. The full spectrum of oncology care includes prevention, detection, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. This year, two UCLA radiation oncologists joined the Providence Holy Cross team in Santa Clarita to add their expertise. New, more precise radiation treatments have been developed to ensure accuracy and reduced side effects. Under construction at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank is the first free-standing comprehensive cancer center serving the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys. The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center is due to open in February and will provide the same personalized care offered at Providence Holy Cross Cancer Centers. The Disney Family Cancer Center will house the hospital’s robotic surgery program. One of the most effective applications of the da Vinci robot, known for its dexterity and precision, is in prostate cancer cases where the prostate, found deep within the pelvic area, must be removed.