Doctors in office
National Cancer Prevention Month

February 25, 2019

February is National Cancer Prevention Month! Not many people know that Athens Area Urology specializes in the detection and treatment of urologic cancers with cutting edge surgical techniques and the most up to date medical treatment options for genitourinary cancers.

This includes prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancer. We believe it’s incredibly important to educate our patients about their individual risks so they know how to monitor their health, and which questions to ask when they come in to our office.

We want this blog to inform you about each of the cancers listed above and how to detect them, but you can find more information about our treatment processes for each type on our website!

Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that originate in the prostate. It is the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States. The prostate is an organ that sits in the deepest part of the pelvis, and produces fluid for the ejaculate. It also surrounds a portion of the urethra (the tube that transports urine and semen out of the body). In the early stages, prostate cancer is generally asymptomatic. However, if symptoms do emerge they are generally one/some of the following:

  • Difficulty with urination
  • Blood in the urine and ejaculate
  • Bone pain
  • Loss of weight and appetite

Bladder Cancer: Bladder cancer is an abnormal growth of bladder cells that grow together to form a mass called a tumor. It usually starts from the inner lining of the bladder (the part that is exposed to the urine), and it often presents with painless blood in the urine, but can also cause painful urination.

Kidney Cancer: Kidney cancer is an abnormal growth of cells originating from the kidney. With timely diagnosis, this is a treatable condition with survival rates ranging from 79 to 100%. Lesions that are found and treated early pose much less risk than those that grow larger. In addition to kidney cancer, other benign lesions can exist on the kidney as well. Approximately 20% of solid kidney masses are benign (non-cancerous). The most common are called a cyst, which are simple and known to be benign. Kidney masses are often initially noticed with imaging. Some cases will be appropriate for active surveillance but others will require a surgical intervention.

Testicular Cancer: Testicular cancer is an abnormal growth of cells originating from the testicle. It is the most common cancer in men aged 15-34, but overall it is fairly rare with only 8,400 cases diagnosed in the U.S. annually. Testicular cancer symptoms include:

  • Painless lump on the testicle
  • Dull ache in the testicle
  • Swelling of the testicle

We strongly recommend that you come into our office immediately for an exam if you have been experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. When it comes to cancer, the earlier we can detect it, the better!

Athens Area Urology is here to help ensure that you live a long and fulfilling life without urological pain and limitations. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office today!

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1150 Golden Way, Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 612-9401