Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in a man's prostate, the small walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder that produces a fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Abnormal cells in the prostate are responsible for the development of prostate cancer, which starts with a mutation of DNA in abnormal cells. The abnormal cells grow and rapidly divide, eventually outliving normal, healthy cells and forming a tumor. Prostate cancer usually is confined to the prostate gland and grows slowly without doing serious harm. In some cases, the cancer may become more aggressive, spreading quickly. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Diet and genetics are thought to contribute to its development.
Why UAB
UAB was the first medical center in Alabama and among the first in the Southeast to offer the latest advancement in prostate cancer detection, which combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) technologies and provides significant advantages over traditional methods. The MRI/US Fusion Guided Prostate Biopsy technique is available through the UAB Program for Personalized Prostate Cancer Care, and it enables your physician to detect cancers earlier and more easily than with conventional biopsy alone. This approach provides a more accurate understanding of your disease, which allows physicians to offer better counsel to patients, who can in turn make more informed decisions about their care.
UAB urologists are regional and national leaders in their field. Our specialists in medical, surgical, and radiation oncology work together as a team to sensitively diagnose and treat your prostate condition in the most efficient manner possible. A personal care plan will be developed for you that makes use of the latest technology and techniques while minimizing effects on continence and sexual function. When prostate surgery is necessary, UAB’s comprehensive robotic surgery program is available for our urologic surgeons, who are noted for their expertise and experience with this minimally invasive technology, which reduces patient discomfort and shortens recovery time.
The UAB urology program is consistently ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and it is one of only a few nationally ranked urologic programs in the Southeast. You will also have access to the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, the only one in a six-state region, so your care is backed by our extensive research efforts. This means you have potential access to treatments before they are available at other medical centers. The center has consistently been recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report, and Becker's Hospital Review recently included UAB on its list of "100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs.”
In addition, the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center developed the UAB Health System Cancer Community Network, an elite group that includes 10 partner hospitals across five states, with the goal of expanding the availability and quality of cancer services for patients. Together with our team of experts, your fight is our fight.
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Welcome to the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB
The first day of your cancer journey can be scary and unknown, but as throat cancer survivor Sherry learned, meeting UAB's expert team is all it takes to know you're in the right place for superb cancer care. Welcome to the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, where your fight becomes our fight.
RELATED SERVICES
CLINICAL TRIALS
UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.
View Clinical TrialsMore from UAB
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cancer.gov
- Supportive Care and Survivorship Clinic
Supportive Care and Survivorship Clinic
The Supportive Care and Survivorship Clinic takes an interdisciplinary approach to caring for patients with serious illnesses, whether they are in active treatment or have completed treatment. Our goal is to help patients fulfill their maximum physical, emotional, spiritual, vocational, and social potential.
The health professionals at the Supportive Care and Survivorship Clinic help patients manage the side effects associated with cancer. Referrals to the Supportive Care and Survivorship Clinic can be made by any treating physician or nurse or by patient self-referral. A broad range of insurance is accepted.
Patient appointment scheduling is flexible and based on patient needs and other concurrent treatments. Clinic sessions are held Wednesday and Friday mornings with palliative care physicians and fellows. A physician assistant is available Monday through Friday.
Our Team
Physicians and physician assistants have special expertise in complex symptom management including depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, pain syndromes, and others.
Nurses support patients by facilitating the clinic sessions as well as managing communication with patients. They are the front line of patient care.
Physical therapists develop individualized programs for each patient to help with coordination, balance, strength, endurance, flexibility, or range of motion. Counselors are experienced in structuring counseling sessions to meet the specific needs of each person. Individual, couple, and family sessions are available.
Nutritionists have expertise in nutrition for patients with serious illnesses.
Massage therapists are trained in all types of massage, including oncology massage, which is a specialized approach that supports the body's health before, during, and after treatment for cancer.
Our clinic is an active teaching environment with fellows, residents, and students in both medicine and nursing participating in patient care.
Location
The UAB Supportive Care and Survivorship Clinic is located on the 3rd floor of The Kirklin Clinic.
Patients can request an appointment online or by calling UAB Healthfinder at 205.934.9999 or 800.822.8816.
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UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS
- Spirituality Group
Come explore your own spiritual, religious, or philosophical understanding of the world. For more information contact Chaplain Kelsey Blankenship - 205.801.7050 or kmblankenship@uabmc.edu
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center - WTI 220 (Patient Education Center)