Navigating Early Prostate Cancer Detection

When it comes to prostate cancer, early detection is key to treating the 1 in 9 men diagnosed in their lifetime. UroNav, a software-based technology, makes early detection of this common male cancer even more accurate.

“Normally, prostate cancer is slow growing, so early detection is key to successfully treating it,” says Dr. Andrew Davidiuk of Orlando Health Medical Group Urology. “UroNav updates the traditional biopsy procedure to give us the best tools possible for quickly detecting this disease.”

Screening for prostate cancer usually begins with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a rectal exam done manually by your doctor. If PSA levels are elevated, or if the rectal exam indicates an abnormality, the doctor schedules a biopsy to get a more detailed look at the prostate cells.

During a traditional ultrasound biopsy, it can be difficult to visualize the prostate and guide the needle toward tumors or lesions using ultrasound alone. Improved MRI imaging can identify the location of cancer within the prostate even before biopsy. UroNav combines the best of both methods. Like a car’s GPS navigation system, it directs the doctor’s needle down the clearest path toward prostate lesions for a more targeted biopsy. 

“Not all prostate cancer is equally lethal, so UroNav helps hone in on the most suspicious areas, reducing the number of tissue samples taken and lowering the risk of infection, bleeding, pain and recovery time,” says Dr. Davidiuk. “Compared to traditional biopsies, UroNav technology increases the accuracy of finding the more significant prostate cancer lesions.”

Men should head to the urologist at the first sign of possible prostate problems. These include:

• Frequent or painful urination
• Difficulty starting or stopping their urine stream
• Trouble maintaining an erection
• Blood in their urine or semen
• Pain or pressure in the rectum

To make an appointment with a urologist or learn more about the UroNav process, call (321) 841-9360.