Prostate Cancer Care

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer in men, not including skin cancer. Although the disease affects 1 in 9 men, it has a 98% survival rate if detected before it has spread to other organs. Fortunately, most prostate cancers are slow-growing and, when found early, easily diagnosed and treatable.

The dedicated team at Beaufort Memorial — which includes board-certified primary care providers, urologists, radiation and medical oncologists, specialized nurses, and other experts — works with you to develop a screening regimen based on your personal health history. If cancer is found, we coordinate a personalized prostate cancer treatment plan that minimizes the disease’s impact on your life.

Call 843-522-7800 to schedule an appointment at the Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort or 843-706-8660 to schedule an appointment at the New River Cancer Center in Okatie. You can also find a urology specialist who can help guide your care plan. 

About Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland in men located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells in the prostate show a highly abnormal growth pattern. Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from the gland cells that make the prostate fluid that is added to semen.

Age and race are two primary risk factors for prostate cancer. The disease occurs most frequently in men over age 65 and is more common in Black men than Caucasian, Hispanic or Asian American men. A family history of the disease appears to increase risk, but most cases occur in men with no family history.

Inherited gene changes also increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Depending on your family history and other criteria, your primary care provider may refer you to the Beaufort Memorial Cancer Genetics and High-Risk Program in Beaufort or Okatie for genetic testing and risk management. Our genetics team uses National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to determine if genetic testing is appropriate. 

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Because prostate cancer often develops slowly, many men do not notice symptoms in the early stages, when the cancer is easiest to treat. When symptoms appear, they typically indicate advanced prostate cancer and include:

• Blood in urine or semen
• Difficulty urinating
• Erectile dysfunction
• Feeling the need to urinate more frequently
• Hip, back or chest pain, or pain in other parts of the body where cancer may have spread to the bones
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness or weakness in the lower extremities

Prostate Cancer Detection and Diagnosis

Beaufort Memorial offers routine prostate cancer screenings — prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, tests and digital rectal exams — to men at average risk age 50 or older. You may need to begin screening as early as age 40, depending on your risk factors.

Our physicians perform these quick and routine tests right in the office. If they find anything abnormal, they will arrange all follow-up tests, including the latest in ultrasound-guided biopsies.

Learn more about prostate cancer screening, and find a primary care provider who can help you determine when to begin screening.

Prostate Cancer Treatment at Beaufort Memorial

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, rest assured you’re in highly skilled and caring hands. Our multidisciplinary team will work closely with you to coordinate a cancer treatment plan.

First, our physicians will evaluate your cancer to determine whether it is growing slowly enough that watchful waiting or active surveillance is all you need before considering surgical, radiation or medical therapies. 

Prostate Cancer Surgeries

Surgery is a common treatment for prostate cancer. At Beaufort Memorial, you can access advanced, minimally invasive procedures with fewer side effects than traditional surgeries. Our experiences urologists can discuss your options and help you choose a procedure that treats your cancer effectively and limits treatment's impact on your quality of life.

Read more about prostate cancer surgeries at Beaufort Memorial.

Medical and Radiation Oncology for Prostate Cancer

Often, oncologists and urologists combine surgery with other treatments. Some men may need only medical oncology or radiation oncology.

We offer hormone therapy and the most advanced radiation therapy technology, including the TrueBeam™ linear accelerator, which delivers high-dose, precise radiation to kill cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. We also use SpaceOAR Hydrogel to create a temporary space between the prostate and surrounding tissues, helping to protect the delicate nerves that control urinary and sexual function. All treatments are designed to help protect the delicate nerves that control urinary and sexual function.

Read more about prostate cancer treatment at Beaufort Memorial.

Total Support for the Journey

We’re committed to caring for the whole you and providing the resources you and your loved ones need to manage a cancer diagnosis. You’ll find a full range of cancer support services, from nutritional counseling to support groups and lymphedema prevention. And you’ll have your own nurse navigator and social worker available to help guide you along your journey.