Prevention, Risk and Screening »Risk Assessment at Fox Chase »Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program (PRAP) A Special Program for Men at Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer

The Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program offers education, risk assessment, screening and an opportunity to participate in innovative prostate cancer research to men who are at an increased risk of the disease because of their family history or their race.

The Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center was created in 1996 and is headed by Veda N Giri, MD.

What is the Goal of the Prostate Risk Assessment Program?

• To provide special screening and follow-up for men with higher than average risk; to detect any prostate tumors at the earliest, most curable stage.
• To help men learn about their risks of prostate cancer and why it runs in some families.
• To help the next generation of men likely to be affected by prostate cancer by learning how prostate cancer might be prevented.

Who is eligible?

This unique program is designed for men aged 35 to 69 who have increased risk of prostate cancer because of family history - a father, brother, or son with prostate cancer - or because they are African American, with or without a family history of prostate cancer.

What is included?

• A careful assessment of your prostate cancer risk, based on personal and family health history
• An initial physical examination, including a rectal exam (in which the doctor feels the prostate through the rectum)
• Blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen), which can reveal early prostate cancer
• Regularly scheduled screening
• Recommendations for medical follow-up of any symptoms
• Access to family and genetic counseling
• Education about prostate cancer and its risk factors.
• Opportunity to advance prostate cancer research

How much will the program cost?

Preventive care such as screening tests and physical examinations may or may not be covered by an individual's health insurance. This should not be a barrier to making that initial call. We will work with any man who is considered at risk for prostate cancer. For clinical services included in this program, the physical examination and the PSA blood test, we will bill your insurance company. All men, regardless of insurance coverage, are encouraged to call.

Current Research Projects

• Prostate Cancer Risk Registry and the FCCC Biosample Repository - Health and family history information and blood samples are collected as a resource for researchers who are interested in studying the causes, prevention, detection, diagnosis, or treatment of prostate cancer.
• Identification of Genetic Markers of Prostate Cancer Risk - The Giri laboratory is focused on characterizing genetic changes for prostate cancer risk using blood samples donated by PRAP participants. Please call 215-728-2406 if interested in donating to support this research.
• Determining Preferences and Utilities for Prostate Cancer Treatment - One-on-one interviews are conducted with men to determine their treatment preferences when faced with different health situations
• Familial Clustering and Prostate Cancer Genetics - Family history and its relationship to risk as well as basic research into several genes that may predispose men to prostate cancer.
• Interactive Technology for Prostate Cancer Education and Risk Counseling - We are developing an interactive tool that assists in the education and risk counseling process.
• Quality of Life Issues in Cancer Treatment - An assessment of several quality of life issues in men with and without prostate cancer.
• Risk Perception and Risk Communication - An evaluation of how men perceive their risk for prostate cancer and developing methods to communicate risk.

Contact Us

To learn more about the Prostate Cancer Assessment Program or to discuss donations to support our effort, call 215-728-2406, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am. - 5:00 pm. or email: PRAP@fccc.edu.

Donate

PRAP is in need of donations to advance research for prostate cancer early detection. Your donation could improve survival from this disease. PRAP also needs your support in spreading the important message of prostate cancer screening services at Fox Chase Cancer Center in your community. If you would like to make a donation to reduce the burden of prostate cancer, please call us at 215-728-2406.