September is both National Urology Awareness Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. This month, we’re raising awareness about urological health, and when it may be time to seek medical advice from a urologist. BMC’s Urology and Cancer teams both provide expert, compassionate care for patients facing complex conditions—and closely collaborate on delivering care to individuals with prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men after skin cancer.
Screening for prostate health can often be performed by your primary care physician. However, it might be time to schedule a visit with a urologist if you have:
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Blood in your urine
- Frequent bathroom trips
- Kidney stone pain
- Ongoing urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Bladder leaks or incontinence
- Testicular or prostate concerns
Prostate screening is important for urological health. It can help identify prostate conditions, and most importantly, can help catch prostate cancer early—when it’s most treatable.
BMC is proud to be ranked among the nation’s top 50 urology programs by U.S. News & World Report, with our Cancer Center also recognized as a high-performing program in cancer care. Our expert urologists and oncologists work in tandem to provide treatment options tailored to each patient.
As the first hospital in New England to perform robot-assisted prostate removal, we continue to lead with innovations that expand treatment choices—especially when cancer is caught early through screening.
Finding an Individualized Treatment Plan
For Peter Goudy, surgery for prostate cancer was not an option.
Peter was diagnosed in 2021 after bloodwork showed his PSA levels had risen quickly. Because of a heart condition, surgery wasn’t possible, and Peter instead underwent 44 sessions of radiation therapy at BMC.
“I had treatment every Monday through Friday,” he recalls. “I drove myself to every single one. I didn’t miss a day. That was my personal goal.”
Though he faced some difficult side effects—including a rare complication that required emergency care—he found strength through the support offered at BMC. “I didn’t really talk with anyone about it until I started going to the Prostate Cancer Support Group at BMC,” he says. “Sharing my experience and hearing the stories of other men with prostate cancer has been a really great experience.”
Learn more about BMC’s Cancer Center Support
Peter has been cancer-free for 28 months now, and his PSA level has stayed low. He continues to monitor his health and gets tested every six months.
Support at Every Level
Peter’s journey echoes the importance of support before, during, and after treatment. At BMC, our patients are never alone. Our team is working together to ensure our patients and their families have the care they need every step of the way.
“The entire staff at BMC—from the nurses and doctors to the front-end staff and receptionists—are just the nicest people,” Peter offers, “That has made my treatment so much easier.”
If you or a loved one has questions about prostate health, screening, or treatment, we’re here to help.