Putting your health first can save your life and ensure you can live for many more long and happy years. This most certainly includes taking the steps to recognize risk factors, look out for symptoms, and get tested regularly for serious and oftentimes deadly diseases such as prostate cancer. That’s where diagnostic imaging services in Suffolk County, NY, come into play and make such a huge difference. These methods of identifying potential prostate cancer cases can have a tremendous impact on the healthcare world, as prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting American men. The American Cancer Society estimates about 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year, with 31,620 deaths due to prostate cancer that was found too late and spread too fast. That’s why having access to diagnostic imaging can save lives through early detection and treatment. Here are four of the main options for advanced diagnostic imaging for prostate cancer that you should be aware of.
Ultrasonography
If you visit a diagnostic imaging center in your community, you will have the opportunity to undergo an ultrasonography if your medical team thinks its the right fit. This is a technique that involves high-frequency sound waves, which are bounced off internal organs. The echo pattern is converted into a two-dimensional image of the internal organs and structures beneath the transducer. In cases of probable prostate cancer, transrectal ultrasonography can reveal whether a person is suffering from the disease. An ultrasonography probe is inserted into the rectum to generate an image of the prostate, and make it possible for doctors to see whether there is cancer or not.
Doppler Ultrasonography
Another commonly-performed process at local diagnostic imaging centers is doppler ultrasonography, which is a particular type of ultrasonography in which the Doppler effect is used. The Doppler effect is the change in frequency and wavelength of a wave moving relative to an observer. This can be used to determine whether blood structures are moving toward or away from the ultrasonography probe and its relative velocity. Doctors who specialize in doppler ultrasonography say it’s a reliable form of clearly identifying cases of prostate cancer. The sooner cancer is found, the better!
Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography
There’s an additional form of ultrasonography called contrast-enhanced, in which the process is performed following the intravenous administration of contrast agents to the circulation system. These agents hold gas-filled microbubbles with a high degree of echogenicity that can be detected by ultrasonography. This concept allows for improved visualizations of organs, which can lead to more accurate diagnosis and treatment plans.
CT
A CT scan is another way in which doctors can test for prostate cancer and identify if a patient has been affected and where to go from there. This technique, which is also used in many other health problems, involves taking multiple two-dimensional X-ray images from a single axis of rotation. This allows for the generation of a three-dimensional image within the body’s internal organs using ionizing radiation. There are many cases in which having a CT scan allowed for early detection and ended up saving lives.
Prostate cancer is a serious disease that sadly can be fatal for thousands of men if not detected early on. Make your health a priority and stay up to date with these diagnostic imaging services by getting in touch with Peconic Bay Medical Center today!