Bryan urologist explains prostate cancer, symptoms following news of President Biden’s diagnosis
Focus at Four: Local doctor discusses prostate cancer facts following former president’s diagnosis
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Following the diagnosis of Former President Joe Biden with prostate cancer, KBTX spoke with an expert about the disease, what groups are more at risk, and how effective treatments are.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 313,780 new cases will be diagnosed, and about 35,770 deaths from prostate cancer will occur in 2025.
Dr. Robin Bhavsar, a urologist at St. Joseph Health in Bryan, told KBTX Black men have a particularly high risk of contracting the disease, white men are at an average risk, and Hispanic and Asian men are considered the lowest risk.
“You see all of them come in with prostate cancer, so it kind of highlights the importance that everyone should be checking but some groups are higher than others,” Dr. Bhavsar said.
Dr. Bhavsar said patients with prostate cancer will now experience any symptoms, which emphasizes regular screenings, “Starting generally at 50, unless you have a family history of prostate cancer or are a Black male- then screening should start at 40.”
Once the cancer moves to other areas of the body, symptoms can begin.
Dr. Bhavsar recommends all men between 50 and 75 get an annual PSA test and periodic rectal exams. If the cancer is detected early, treatment options are extremely effective.
“Generally, statistics show that for localized prostate cancer in men in the United States, about 99% of them are disease-free at 10 years out, if they’re screened and treated. However, once they develop metastatic disease, the survival rates drop to about 30 to 50%,” he added.
Dr. Bhavsar said having conversations with your doctor is an important first step.
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