WELLINGTON, Fla. - Oct. 6, 2020 - At the beginning of the pandemic, and especially during the lockdown, my offices at the Urology Center of Palm Beach were all but empty. Appointments were canceled, hallways emptied, and doors shut for the time being. As we've begun the phases of opening, however, we've slowly seen patients return. And with limited hours of in-person care in combination with telehealth services, we have been able to resume our high quality of care in this new normal. But as the coronavirus continues to affect our daily lives into the changing of seasons, I worry that there may be dire consequences for some who are still avoiding their annual check-ups.
Seeing as National Prostate Awareness Month just ended, I felt compelled to inform the public of just how important screenings can be and to urge men – especially over the age of 50 – to resume their regular check-ups immediately.
One in nine men will get a prostate cancer diagnosis in his lifetime. And more than 190,000 men will be diagnosed this year. However, men who are diagnosed early have much higher five-year and ten-year survival rates. On the contrary, men whose cancer has spread to other areas of the body have a much lower 5-year survival rate. This survival discrepancy highlights just how important early detection and all its relevant factors truly is.
If you're experiencing any symptoms such as changes in urination, weak and interrupted urination, urgency in urination, increased frequency of urination, trouble beginning or emptying the bladder, or pain or burning in urination – don't put off a visit to the urologist any longer. Even lesser known symptoms such as pain in the hips, pelvis, spine or upper legs can be a sign that you should see your urologist immediately. However, it's important to note that sometimes you won't have any symptoms at all, which is why regular check-ups are so important.
And guess what? Your initial prostate cancer screening requires a simple blood test and a brief examination. The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) exam specifically can be added by your doctor to any lab order for blood work. So let's all use this as a reminder to get checked!
About Dr. Rubinowicz
Dr. Diego Rubinowicz, founder of Urology Center of Palm Beach, is a Board-Certified Urologist, who has been in private practice in Palm Beach County since 2001. The Urology Center of Palm Beach focuses on men's health, prostate health, kidney stones, bladder health, urinary conditions, oncology, and more. It is located in Loxahatchee / Wellington and offers bilingual (English and Spanish) options. https://urologycenterofpalmbeach.com
Contact
Melissa Perlman, BlueIvy Communications
