High-Risk Prostate Cancer Screening

High-Risk Prostate Cancer Screening Program

Prostate cancer is not preventable, so it’s important to understand your prostate cancer risk and screening options. As the region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, The University of Kansas Cancer Center offers advanced assessment of prostate cancer risk, including the Burns & McDonald Prostate Cancer Screening Program. The program provides vital tools, such as prostate-specific antigen testing, to help with early detection of prostate cancer, when it is most treatable.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there is no specific normal or abnormal level of PSA in the blood. In the past, PSA levels of 4 ng/mL and lower were considered normal. However, some individuals with PSA levels below 4 ng/mL have prostate cancer and many with higher PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/mL do not have prostate cancer. In other words, it’s possible for your PSA levels to be elevated when cancer isn’t present, and to not be elevated when cancer is present.

For example, you may have a PSA level of 5 ng/mL or higher but have a negative biopsy. It's possible for your PSA level to be elevated when cancer isn't present, and to not be elevated when cancer is present.

In either situation, we can help because we have the expertise and screening options to provide you with answers. Patients receive comprehensive PSA laboratory testing – based on your risk factors – and customized services delivered by cancer doctors and advanced practice providers from numerous specialties, at multiple convenient locations 5 days a week.

We offer the latest evidence-based approaches to assessment and diagnosis following an elevated PSA blood test.

Assessing elevated PSA

• We eliminate unnecessary/outdated tests. Approximately 50% of patients referred to us have had unnecessary bone scans and/or CT scans, which are limited in detecting prostate cancer. This results in added cost, patient anxiety and burdens health systems. For the most accurate diagnosis, we rely on a PET scan or an MRI, which provide a detailed picture of the prostate and nearby areas.
• We provide up-to-date physical exams (digital rectal exam). As specialized experts, we assess the size of the prostate as well as the presence, shape and other characteristics of any prostate nodules. Our rate of successful diagnosis exceeds that of general urologists.
• Patients receive prostate cancer risk stratification beyond the Gleason score. Our subspecialized pathologists perform molecular testing to identify cancer markers and are supported by MRI and PET imaging. As a result, we reduce repeat biopsies and unnecessary secondary tests – which can occur with general urologists who often grade risk higher than what is truly assessed.
• We provide comprehensive review of related risk factors. Patients receive comprehensive PSA laboratory testing and services – including genetic screening and counseling – delivered by urologic oncologists and advanced practice providers.

Our services

• Multidisciplinary approach to prostate cancer risk assessment, prevention and care
• Consultation regarding monitoring options and standard prevention therapies
• Dietitian counseling available
• Development of lifestyle strategies, including diet modification and exercise recommendations
• Access to clinical research trials
• Prostate cancer risk assessment and education for family members
• Genetic screening/genetic counseling

Who is at risk?

• African Americans
• Men over age 50
• Men with a prior history of elevated PSA blood test
• Men who have an abnormal prostate examination
• Men who have a family history of prostate cancer
• Men who have a family history of other cancers (breast, ovarian, pancreatic and Lynch syndrome)

Each patient has access to a highly experienced group of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, a dietitian, research coordinators and others. These specialists work together as a multidisciplinary team to provide innovative prostate cancer risk assessment services at multiple convenient locations across the Kansas City metro. We screen patients at multiple sites and together the team works to create a treatment plan tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Cancer second opinion and telehealth consultations are also available.

As a testament to the caliber of our program and the sought-after expertise of our urology specialists, our urologists hold national committee roles and leadership positions in premier urologic professional associations, including the American Urologic Association. Urologists at The University of Kansas Cancer Center consistently receive one of the highest patient satisfaction scores at 95%, as reported by Press Ganey.

Our high-risk prostate cancer screening program is the first of its kind in the region. It is available to men from across the Kansas City area and beyond who are at high risk of developing prostate cancer.

The program is part of The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s effort to provide the region with the most advanced cancer prevention and care available anywhere.

No referral is necessary. Call +18889837183 today to speak with one of our disease-specific nurse navigators.