Prostate Cancer Care

Turn to the specialists of Bliss Cancer Center in Ames, Iowa, for the expertise needed to diagnose and effectively treat cancer of the prostate gland.

Screening & Diagnostic Tests

Routine prostate cancer screenings help find prostate problems early, when they’re easier to treat. Ask your doctor about screening and diagnostic exams that may be right for you and how often you should receive them.

Prostate cancer screening tests include:

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to measure the amount of PSA, a substance in your blood. Abnormal levels of PSA may be signs of a prostate condition.
• Digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the organs and tissue surrounding the prostate gland

Personalized Treatment Plan

Get a care plan that’s right for you. Partner with the Bliss Cancer Center experts to create a plan that considers your:

• Age and overall health
• Preferences
• Risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body
• Stage of cancer
• Treatment goals

Based on your needs, your treatment plan may include:

• Hormone therapy to decrease testosterone in the body to slow or stop cancer cells from growing
• Prostate surgery (prostatectomy) to remove part or all of the prostate gland sometimes using a surgical robot for a less invasive approach
• Radiation therapy to end or slow cancer growth

SpaceOAR Protects Healthy Tissue from Radiation

Trust your doctor to accurately mark a tumor for treatment and keep you safe during radiation therapy. Our providers use SpaceOAR to guide radiation beams. These markers stay near the prostate during and after treatment to protect healthy tissue from radiation and reduce potential side effects.

Your doctor places the marker using a minimally invasive technique, so you have less pain and a shortened recovery.

Brachytherapy

You may benefit from brachytherapy (internal radiation) to destroy cancer cells in your body. This treatment places radioactive “seeds” in or near the prostate. Compared to radiation beam therapy, brachytherapy may result in fewer side effects and shorten treatment.

Xofigo® Therapy

If prostate cancer has spread to your bones but not to other parts of your body, your doctor may recommend Xofigo injections. Xofigo uses radiation to kill prostate cancer cells.

Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials

Talk to your care team to see if you would be eligible for a prostate cancer clinical trial. You may benefit from new, advanced approaches to cancer care.

Coordinated Care

Live better during and after cancer treatment with supportive resources, including cancer navigation services that guide you through care.