November brings the mustaches signaling Movember. This important campaign highlights awareness for men’s health issues including Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer and Men’s mental health.

The prostate is a small gland that sits under the bladder in males and is responsible for producing seminal fluid. Cancer of the prostate glad is very common. As with all cancer, the earlier cancer is detected, the better chance of preventing spread, and survival.

Risk factors for Prostate Cancer include

Age- men over age 50 are more at risk
Race- for unknown reasons, Black males tend to have higher rates of aggressive prostate cancer
Family history- Blood relatives having prostate or genetic breast cancer (BRCA1 or 2) will predispose you to increased risk of prostate cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Early prostate cancer may have no symptoms, but can be detected by elevated PSA levels (Prostate specific- antigen) in a blood test.
Advanced cancer may have symptoms of difficulty urinating, blood in urine, blood in Semen, unintended weight loss

If you have any symptoms, please speak with a doctor as these can be signs of other disease or issues*

Testing that may be done to confirm diagnosis

PSA blood test
Prostate MRI
Ultrasound guided prostate biopsy will be done to get a sample of tissue.

How can Elysian help you?

Patients with an enlarged prostate and slightly elevated PSA may have a doctor suggest they get a prostate MRI done.

Elysian offers experienced technologists and Radiologists for Prostate MRI imaging.

What is a prostate MRI?

MRI uses a strong magnetic field radiofrequency pulses and computer to form detailed images of the prostate glad. The MRI images can assist in determining if the tumor is confined to the prostate, or has spread to surrounding tissues. The MRI is safe and doesn’t use ionizing radiation, this provides the most clear and detailed of all imaging modalities. Multiparametric (Mp-MRI) is an advanced form of imaging. It uses two MRI techniques to provide anatomical pictures and information on the function of the prostate gland. This includes diffusion weighted imaging of the prostate, which is highly sensitive for picking up suspicious lesions.

What is the process to book an MRI?

We require a signed requisition from a doctor for a prostate MRI. The requisition can be emailed to imaging@elysianhealth.ca or faxed to 778-613-2656. Once we have this request, our Radiologist reads the requisition and gives us the protocol on how to scan. Our staff will give you a call and go through a screening form with you to ensure you are safe to be in a strong magnetic field. ( If you have stents or coils, we will look into the make and model to ensure it is safe) Unfortunately we can not perform MRI on patients with pacemakers.

Preparation:

Due to the prostate being near the rectum and bladder, we need to ensure your bowel is clear. It is advised to empty the bladder right before exam and clear the bowel around 30 minutes prior ( a laxative may be used)

Exam:

You will change into a gown, and the exam will take around 30 minutes. The technologist will give you earplugs and headphones with music as the MRI procedure is loud. The tech will place a coil over your body to pick up the signal to form images.

When the exam is complete the report should be ready within approximately 3-5 business days, we send the report directly to your doctor.

Call us for more info at 604-256-3010

For more info on Movember initiatives: https://ca.movember.com/

Requisition