In the News

After Ryne Sandberg’s Passing, a UroPartners Doctor Urges: Early Screening is Key to Curing Prostate Cancer

The recent passing of Chicago Cubs legend Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg from metastatic prostate cancer is a somber reminder of a common disease that affects countless men. Sandberg’s diagnosis in January 2024 brought a renewed focus on prostate cancer, and now, his death serves as a powerful call to action: early and regular screenings are the best defense.Sandberg_prostate_video.png

UroPartners’ own Dr. Paul Yonover appeared on ABC7 Chicago to discuss this crucial message, emphasizing that while metastatic prostate cancer is often a chronic, uncurable disease, the vast majority of cases can be treated effectively if detected early enough.

How to Watch:

You can watch the interview here: https://abc7chicago.com/post/doctor-urges-importance-early-screenings-cubs-ryne-sandberg-dies-metastatic-prostate-cancer/17350991/

A Powerful Story of Hope: A UroPartners Patient’s Experience

One of the most powerful examples of early detection comes from UroPartners patient Jim Kelly. The 63-year-old was diagnosed with Stage 2 prostate cancer in December after a routine annual screening.

"I was shocked," Kelly said in his interview. "Doc says 90% recovery, which is a blessing, so I always try to think positive."

Kelly's story is a testament to the life-saving potential of a simple blood test. He now considers it his personal mission to convince his friends to get tested, turning a difficult diagnosis into a message of hope and proactive health.

Why Early Screening is So Important

As Dr. Yonover explained on ABC7 Chicago, the goal of screening is to find cancer in its early stages, when it can be either monitored or cured.

Screening Guidelines from Dr. Yonover:

  • Men with a family history of prostate cancer, or who are African American, should begin screening at age 40.
  • All other men should begin screening between the ages of 40 and 50 and continue up to ages 70-75.

"If we do that regularly, we think that we can catch most of cancers in the early stages," Dr. Yonover said. "And if you can catch it early, you can either monitor it or treat it, and it can be curative."

Advanced Technology for Better Outcomes

For those who are diagnosed with more aggressive forms of the disease, UroPartners is on the front line of innovative treatment. Dr. Yonover highlighted the PSMA PET Scan as a relatively new technology that has revolutionized diagnosis and treatment.

"What that does is it allows us to identify the disease. If we can see it, we can treat it," Dr. Yonover said.

This advanced imaging allows doctors to isolate tumors and develop highly targeted treatment plans, helping to suppress the disease and keep it controlled for a considerable period of time.

Take Control of Your Health

Ryne Sandberg's battle with prostate cancer, and the positive outcome for patients like Jim Kelly, underscore a vital point: you must be proactive about your health. Annual prostate cancer screenings are not always offered by primary care physicians, so it's up to you to start the conversation.

Don’t wait until symptoms appear. If you're in the recommended age group, talk to a board-certified urologist about scheduling your screening. It's a simple process that could save your life.

Contact UroPartners today to schedule a consultation with one of our prostate cancer experts.