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Each day in the United States, about 660 men are told by their healthcare provider that they have prostate cancer. That translates into approximately 240,890 cases, as estimated by the National Cancer Institute for 2011. Although prostate cancer is not often diagnosed in men younger than 45, all men should know the risk factors for this disease and how and when to be screened. For example, men who have a father, brother, or son with prostate cancer are at higher risk for prostate cancer and should see their doctor about screening before the recommended age of 50. Also, if you are African-American, you are at higher risk than are white or Hispanic men.
Why An Accurate Diagnosis is Important
More than ever before, it is important for men to become better informed about prostate cancer and the best tools available to get an accurate diagnosis. Why?
- Because there are a growing number of tools available for physicians to diagnose prostate cancer, and you should be aware of which ones can offer the most accurate results.
- Because getting an accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer, especially at its early stages, gives you a better chance of successfully treating the disease and reducing the risk of complications or side effects associated with treatment.
- Because a lack of confidence about the accuracy of their prostate cancer diagnosis drives many men to choose treatment even when there’s no medical reason to do so. Research shows that more than 41% of men with low-risk prostate cancer who chose watchful waiting switched to active treatment because of their anxiety, even though only half of the men had medical indications for choosing treatment. Unnecessary treatment exposes men to complications and side effects that would have been avoided had they had more confidence in their diagnostic results.
- Because the number of treatment options is also growing, and you want an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible so you can take advantage of the most appropriate therapies.
Prostate Biopsy
A prostate biopsy is a test that involves removing tiny tissue samples from different zones of the prostate so they can be examined under a microscope for signs of cancerous cellular growth. Prostate biopsies are a standard part of the diagnostic process if your doctor suspects you may have prostate cancer. But there is more than one way to do a prostate biopsy. Don’t you want to select the way that will give your doctor the most comprehensive and accurate information available?
The Smart Prostate Biopsy
That’s why a Smart Prostate Biopsy is the wise choice for men who need to undergo a prostate biopsy. In fact, a Smart Prostate Biopsy is a whole dimension better than the traditional two-dimension prostate biopsy, because it provides a revolutionary 3-dimension color visualization of your prostate.
The device that makes it all possible is called Artemis, an innovative image guidance and navigation system specifically for prostate biopsy. With 3D images of your prostate, your doctor can plan, navigate, track, record, and manage your prostate biopsy results in a way that was not possible previously.
About 1.5 million prostate biopsies are performed each year. Conventional prostate biopsies can be problematic, as 20 to 30% of cancers are missed, and not all the cancers that are detected are clinically relevant. During a conventional 2-dimension prostate biopsy, physicians use transrectal ultrasound to help them place the biopsy needles. However, this approach does not allow them to precisely locate the cells to be biopsied (think of it as using a conventional road map to navigate the streets). With Artemis, they can.
3D visualization allows physicians to precisely locate any suspicious tissue and/or prostate cancer lesions (unlike the conventional 2D “road map” approach, Artemis is like using a GPS to more accurately navigate your way around). Artemis stores this information for later reference, so your doctor can accurately and efficiently track any changes that occur over time. The fact that your doctor can gather precise information the first time eliminates the need for repeat prostate biopsy, a painful and unfortunate reality for some men who undergo conventional procedures.
But if you ever need a repeat biopsy—say, to monitor your treatment—Artemis has already saved your original biopsy site locations, as well as baseline prostate biopsy data. Your doctor can retrieve all this information instantly, at any time, for reference, confirmation, and follow-up.
If your doctor recommends a prostate biopsy, the smart move is a Smart Prostate Biopsy using Artemis, the breakthrough technology that provides you and your doctor with detailed, high-definition 3D test results that can guide your treatment options, be it watchful waiting, hormone therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, prostatectomy, or high intensity focused ultrasound. With Artemis, the end result is better, personalized patient care and peace of mind.
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