One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, so it’s important to get screened regularly. With November being Men's Health Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to make an appointment.
“I think a lot of men, sometimes they don’t take care of themselves like maybe women might,” said Dr. Khanh Pham, urologist at Overlake. “I think it’s important to call out men to make sure they see their doctors and get screened for prostate cancer.”
Many men’s lives are saved by screenings, which includes a blood test and possibly an exam.
“The vast majority of prostate cancer I see are actually completely asymptomatic and are picked up on a routine screen,” Dr. Pham said.
Dr. James Kriseman, a primary care physician at Overlake, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Testing and a follow-up biopsy proved that he did have prostate cancer, despite him feeling good overall.
“I will say, like many men out there, I wanted to deny symptoms I was experiencing that were associated with prostate cancer,” Dr. Kriseman said.
Dr. Kriseman is on the men’s health council at Overlake, along with Dr. Pham. The council is made up of many stakeholders, including urologists and primary care physicians.
“We come together to make a good experience for the patient and set it up so every last detail that needs to be taken care of is managed and thought of ahead of time,” Dr. Pham said.
Along with oncology services and treatment, Overlake provides services like genetic counseling, nutrition and support groups.
“Almost everybody involved with this project knows somebody who has had prostate cancer,” Dr. Kriseman said.
The majority of prostate cancers are slow-growing, but one-third can be fast-growing and impact life expectancy.
Overlake has special imaging and guided biopsies to appropriately choose the right treatment for each patient. To learn more, visit the Overlake Medical Center website.
Sponsored by Overlake Medical Center. Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.