Ken Betts, prostate cancer survivor
- Ken was first diagnosed in 2018 with prostate cancer and by the time he needed more treatment in 2023, he benefitted from new technology that was not available a few years prior.
- Fortunately, his cancer was caught early and he opted for radiation.
- A 2023 PET scan identified that the cancer cells didn’t respond to the radiation therapy, so he was a candidate for a new technology.
- He was interested in being part of a new treatment and was willing to undergo the procedure. He had very few minor side effects.
- His PSA numbers are low and he is encouraging others about the importance of testing early.
Dr. Will Parker, urologic oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- One of the newest treatments offered here at the University of Kansas Cancer Center is called High Intensity Focused Ultrasound or HIFU.
- It's not for everyone, but for those who are eligible, it offers a much faster recovery with fewer side effects.
- It is an ultrasound probe, so it can image the prostate, but then it also generates heat for the treatment part.
- It allows us to both simultaneously image what we're treating and deliver the treatment.
- Because we're only treating a very small part of the prostate, we don't see things like incontinence or erectile dysfunction.
- There could be some temporary changes in urinary and sexual function just because the prostate swells is being traumatized for that brief period of time, but long term, we really don't see those consequences that we see from radiation and surgery.
- Catch cancer early. Most men should get tested around age 50 or sooner. If they're at high risk, learn your family history, if it includes prostate cancer, breast cancer, or ovarian cancer, you are at a higher risk.
