MRI Screening Helps Men Beat Prostate Cancer
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month! This year, healthcare experts and advocates are using this time to spread the word about prostate screening.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in males. This year alone more than 248,530 men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis and more than 34,000 will lose their lives to this deadly disease.
However, there is hope! New MRI technology has become a powerful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
With an MRI, you can:
- Screen for prostate cancer
- Pinpoint cancers for more accurate biopsy
- Map prostate cancers for staging
- Guide and assess the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment
MRI screening for prostate cancer is now better than ever. Similar to mammograms for breast cancer detection, a quick MRI scan can detect prostate cancers, leading to a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
One study published in JAMA Oncology used a contrast-free prostate MRI to screen for prostate tumors in 408 British men. The MRI detected 2x as many significant cancers as traditional screening methods.
In men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, biopsies are useful to conclusively diagnose prostate cancer. However, PSA testing is not always reliable. It continues to miss patients with aggressive forms of the disease. Without specific targeting, many men receive negative biopsy results even when they have prostate cancer.
Studies have shown that an MRI-detected biopsy detects clinically significant prostate cancer in as many as 34 – 41 percent of males with prior negative biopsy results. In men with high PSA levels, MRI demonstrates the promise of both detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
Is a Prostate MRI Right For You?
Men over the age of 45 should discuss whether a prostate MRI is appropriate for them. New studies continue to show that MRI is a useful tool for prostate cancer screening. This means that men may be able to forego the uncomfortable physical exam in favor of digital imaging. Ask your doctor if you may be a candidate for MRI prostate cancer screening.
At ImageCare Centers, we use the Philips DynaCAD image analysis system to help map prostate cancers. This state-of-the-art software helps urologists, oncologists, and medical specialists obtain accurate biopsies and develop better treatments for all types of prostate cancers.
Our magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps doctors and specialists diagnose and treat prostate cancer in numerous ways.
- Gives oncologists the opportunity to visualize significant prostate cancers.
- Allows for more specific targeting of tumors during biopsies.
- Provides data that is useful when staging tumors and monitoring treatment responses.
Schedule Your Prostate MRI Appointment Today
When it comes to men’s health, ImageCare Centers is leading the way throughout New Jersey. We believe in providing exceptional imaging services whenever you need us. If your doctor has requested imaging services for you, contact us today at 973-871-3333 to schedule an appointment or complete our convenient online appointment request form.