Cancer
Prevention

Early Detection Is The Best Prostate Cancer Prevention.

Prostate Cancer Screening in Cedar Rapids, IA

The Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center is recognized as a premier option for prostate cancer screening in Cedar Rapids offering men a comprehensive, patient-focused approach to early detection and prevention. With a specialized oncology team, coordinated care through UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s and Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, and access to advanced diagnostic resources, the center ensures men receive timely PSA testing, risk assessment, and expert guidance on next steps. Its emphasis on personalized screening plans, education, and early intervention makes it a trusted destination for those seeking proactive and compassionate prostate cancer screening services in the Cedar Rapids region.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a gland found below the bladder and only in individuals born male. It makes some of the fluid in semen. Prostate cancer begins when gland cells grow out of control. Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, meaning they form in the glandular tissue.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US, other than skin cancer. It’s also the second-leading cause of cancer death (after lung cancer). About 1 in 8 men get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer don’t die from it. If caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable.

Signs & Symptoms

In many cases, prostate cancer grows gradually and doesn’t tend to show signs or symptoms in the earliest stages. Prostate cancer symptoms begin to appear as the cancer progresses and may include:

Blood in the urine or semen
Consistent pain in the back, pelvis, chest or hips
Difficulty urinating
Feeling very tired
Frequent urination, especially at night
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Struggle to have an erection
Weak urine flow
Weight loss

These symptoms are also caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is when the prostate gland is enlarged but not cancerous. Consult your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.

What's The Screening Process?

Most prostate cancers are found early through a screening. There’s no way to check for prostate cancer at home. If you’re 50 years old, have a prostate and are at average risk, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening. In some cases, you may need to be screened at an earlier age.

Begin screening at age 45. If you’re Black or have a close relative (father or brother) who had prostate cancer before age 65.
Begin screening at age 40. If more than one close relative had prostate cancer before 65.

“The team at the radiation center helped me so much. The support at this place is just unbelievable. I was actually a little sad on my last day. Not that I was done with treatment, but I would miss the people. They are lifelong friends to me.”

Ed Fisher

Prostate Cancer Survivor

What Are My Treatment Options?

Some prostate cancers grow slowly and don’t require immediate treatment. In these cases, you and your doctor may decide on “active surveillance” with regular follow-ups. For those prostate cancers that do need treatment, options depend on the stage of the cancer and other medical conditions. Sometimes treatments are combined:

Hormone therapy
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Immunotherapy
Radiopharmaceuticals
Targeted therapy
Chemotherapy drugs

Key Prostate Cancer Statistics for Men 45 and Older

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men aside from skin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men, behind only lung cancer.
In 2025, an estimated about 313,780 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S., with around 35,770 deaths from the disease.
About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime.
The risk increases with age — most prostate cancers are diagnosed in older men, with the average age at diagnosis around 67 years and a sharp rise after age 50.