Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. Gerard Pregenzer, M.D.

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Category: News

Prostate Health: When to Start Screening and What to Expect

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in ,

Most of us know that when cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and cure. That’s why physicians recommend screening tests for many cancers. Prostate cancer is no different, but there are some caveats. When it comes to prostate health, when should men start screening and what should they expect?

Facts Men Should Know About Prostate Cancer

  • Most men will get prostate cancer if they live long enough.
  • There are both risks and benefits to treatment.
  • Some prostate cancers are extremely aggressive, while others can be very slow growing.
  • Getting treatment for prostate cancer makes sense when the benefits outweigh the potential risks of the side effects.
  • Prostate cancer has no symptoms unless it is advanced. Hence, the need for screening.

What Are the Types of Prostate Cancer Screenings?

Common screening tests for prostate cancer include the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).

Screening With the PSA Blood Test

Prostate cancer screening schedule for men concept.The PSA blood test measures how much of a protein known as prostate specific antigen, or PSA, is found in your blood. This has been the standard for prostate screening for 30 years.

General guidelines suggest screening to begin at age 50. 

If a man has risk factors that put him at higher risk, Dr. Gerard Pregenzer may recommend earlier screenings like between age 40 and 54.

  • Family history, especially a first degree relative like a father or brother having prostate cancer
  • Extended family history, such as if two extended family members have had prostate cancer
  • African-American men, as they are more likely to have aggressive tumors putting them at very high risk

If you have none of those worrisome risk factors putting you at average risk, screening usually begins at 50 and ends at age 69.

Screening With the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

A digital rectal exam is also part of screening for prostate cancer. This is a quick and safe screening technique performed in the office by Dr. Gerard Pregenzer.

Using a lubricated gloved finger, your doctor will be able to determine if the prostate is enlarged, has lumps, areas of hardness, or other texture abnormalities. Although the exam may cause momentary discomfort, there is no pain.

What’s Different About Prostate Cancer Screening?

Most screening tests for other cancers have only benefits like a negative test result or early detection proving helpful for a cure.

With prostate cancer screening, most physicians will discuss the risks and benefits with their patients before proceeding.

  • Some test results can show false positives or false negatives leading to anxiety and biopsy, or thinking all is well when the patient actually has cancer. Researchers are looking for ways to make these screenings more accurate.
  • Over-diagnosis and over-treatment are another issue. Some prostate cancers grow slowly and would never cause a man any problems during his lifetime. If a decision is made to go ahead with treatment like radiation or surgery that wasn’t needed, it can lead to urinary issues, bowel issues, or sexual problems.

What to Expect During a Prostate Cancer Screening

There is very little preparation required for a prostate screening.

  • The PSA test is simple blood work. The sample will be sent to a lab for analysis. If the PSA level is high, you may need further testing like an MRI, a biopsy, or other lab tests. It is wise to refrain from sex for 48 hours prior to the test since this can cause your PSA level to rise. There is no need to change any bathroom habits. If the results are borderline, you may need another test in 6 months.
  • As for the DRE, let Dr. Gerard Pregenzer know if you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures or tears.
  • We also offer genomic testing and a blood test for assessing the probability of aggressive prostate Cancer called, 4K score.

You will receive the results of the DRE immediately and the PSA test within 1-2 days.

Schedule a Prostate Cancer Screening in Hartford, CT

Contact board-certified urologist Dr. Gerard Pregenzer at (860) 962-6600 with questions about prostate screening, high risk factors, or to schedule an exam at our urology offices in Hartford, CT.

Sources:

Early Detection & Prevention – Prostate Conditions

Screening & Testing For Early Cancer Detection: Prostate Cancer Exam – Spotting Cancer

Prostate Cancer: Age-Specific Screening Guidelines | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early? | How to Detect Prostate Cancer? | American Cancer Society

Kidney Stones: Common Causes And Treatments

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in ,

Anyone who has ever passed a kidney stone will tell you it was probably the worst pain they ever felt. The last thing they want is to ever have another one. Unfortunately, once you have a kidney stone, you are more likely to have another. Discover why that is, as well as other causes and treatments below.

Check Your Urine

The easiest way to know if your kidneys are working properly and to avoid getting kidney stones is to check the color of your urine. It should be very light, pale yellow, and clear. Urine that looks deep yellow, orange, or hazy could indicate dehydration, meaning you need to drink more water daily to prevent kidney stones. Urine with no color might mean you’re drinking too much water.

Why Do We Get Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard objects made from the chemicals in our urine. They can range from as small as a grain of salt, passing out of the body unnoticed, to large enough to cause severe pain as they move through the urinary tract.

a model of a human kidney made on paper.Kidney stones form due to the following:

  • Not drinking enough water
  • Exercising too vigorously or not enough
  • Obesity
  • Eating foods with too much salt and sugar
  • Family history
  • Too much fructose in foods

We get kidney stones when we have a high concentration of minerals like calcium, oxalate, or uric acid in our urine, and they come together to form a crystal or stone. If you do pass a stone at home and have the ability to strain your urine, bring the stone to Pregenzer Urology in Hartford, CT. That way we will know the make-up of the stone and be able to give you dietary recommendations to avoid future stones.

Treatments for Kidney Stones

Small stones can pass with drinking extra water, OTC pain meds, and sometimes prescription medications to help you pass the stone.

Larger stones are problematic. They can be too large to pass, they can block the urinary tract, or cause infections. In these cases surgery is recommended.

  • Shock Wave Lithotripsy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high energy sound waves to break up the stone.
  • Another less invasive treatment for kidney stones is a ureteroscopy where Dr. Pregenzer uses an endoscope inserted into the ureter to remove or destroy the stone.
  • Lastly, for very large stones, a surgical procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy is employed. Small telescopes and instruments are inserted through a small incision in the back. This is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia, and you may remain in the hospital for several days.

Preventing Future Kidney Stones

Don’t want another stone?

The two most important things you can do after an experience with a kidney stone is to drink more water and follow the dietary restrictions recommended by Dr. Gerard Pregenzer.

Schedule a Kidney Stones Appointment in Hartford, CT

Contact board-certified urologist Dr. Gerard Pregenzer at (860) 962- 6600 if you think you are suffering with a kidney stone, or if you have passed one, and want to prevent another bout.

Sources:

Kidney stones – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

What Causes Kidney Stones? 12 Possible Causes (webmd.com)

What Are The Benefits Of A No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in ,

If you are thinking about having a vasectomy, think long and hard. Once you are sure that you do not want any more children, you may decide to have a no-scalpel vasectomy. That would be a good decision, and we can stipulate that fact. Let’s dive into the benefits of a no-scalpel vasectomy.

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I Pee When I Sneeze: Is This Normal?

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in

For anyone who asks, I pee when I sneeze: is this normal? Let’s get right to the point, NO is the answer. This type of leakage is not normal. There may be an unknown number of people with this type of incontinence, but that doesn’t make it normal. You don’t need to go through life with embarrassing leakage. Let’s find out what your options are.

Continue reading “I Pee When I Sneeze: Is This Normal?” →

How Sexual Dysfunction Affects Your Marriage

Posted on by Gerard Pregenzer, M.D. in

It is difficult enough to maintain a happy marriage with financial worries, children, and both spouses working full time jobs. Add in sexual dysfunction and your life can be turned upside down. Whether you are in a long term relationship or married for many years, how sexual dysfunction affects your marriage is up to the parties involved. Let’s look at the best ways to handle this common issue.

Continue reading “How Sexual Dysfunction Affects Your Marriage” →

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