Truthfully, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, a sad reality, which is why awareness and prevention are vital.
Securing its spot as the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 35,000 men will lose their lives to prostate cancer in 2025.
Prostate cancer is a serious condition, often not showing symptoms until later in its course. However, thanks to the latest advancements in healthcare technology, early detection and treatment advancements have only helped strengthen the prognosis of this disease, leading many to live their lives on their terms rather than that of their cancer.
Keep reading as we help you understand what prostate cancer is, who is at risk of developing the disease, and how a whole-body MRI scan may be the answer to early detection we’ve been waiting for.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Cancer can come in many forms within our bodies, beginning when cells grow out of control. To understand the specific cancer, we have to start by understanding the area of the body in which the cells begin to grow uncontrollably.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Along with being the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men, prostate cancer also happens to be one of the most common types of cancer, affecting about one in eight men during their lifetime.
Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. Developing from the gland cells in the prostate, they primarily grow slowly and stay confined to that area. However, there are some more aggressive types that can spread quickly throughout the body.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
For men, certain factors can increase your risk of prostate cancer, including:
- Older age: The risk of developing prostate cancer increases as you get older, particularly after age 50. Roughly 60% of prostate cancer diagnoses are in men older than 65 years of age.
- Family medical history: If a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you’re at an increased risk for the disease.
- Genetics: Certain genetic mutations that can either be inherited or acquired during your lifetime hold an increased risk of prostate cancer developing. These mutations may include the BRCA1 mutation (genes associated with breast cancer or Lynch syndrome).
A Full Body MRI and Prostate Cancer
One of the latest developments in healthcare technology is a full-body MRI scan.
A full-body MRI, also called a whole-body MRI, takes detailed imaging of the body’s internal structure, from your head down to your pelvis. With the ability to screen 13 organ systems and identify nearly 500 medical conditions or abnormalities, a full-body MRI is one of the best approaches to proactive healthcare.
Undergoing a whole-body MRI for prostate cancer can help negate the worry and fear of those with a family history of the disease or an increased risk of developing it.
Whether you seek a comprehensive report on your entire body or wish to focus primarily on the torso, scheduling a full-body MRI in Charleston, SC, can help.
Schedule a Full Body Scan with MRI Wellness Today
At MRI Wellness, we believe in taking a proactive approach to your health, catching abnormalities before they become a problem rather than seeking treatment when it may be too late.
As the leading provider of full-body MRI scans near you, our team is dedicated to leveraging technology in order to identify early, highly treatable diseases before they become a concern.
Take the first step toward peace of mind by scheduling a scan with MRI Wellness today.
