Honoring Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 2026
Understanding Prostate Health and the Importance of Early Detection
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a time to start conversations, raise awareness, and encourage men to take an active role in their health. At HaysMed, we are committed to providing education, screening services, and compassionate care to support men and their families across western Kansas.
What Is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland found in men, located below the bladder. It plays an important role in the male reproductive system by helping produce fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
As men age, the prostate can change. While many prostate conditions are not cancerous, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men.
When Should Men Start Thinking About Screening?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but most men should begin discussing prostate health and screening with their healthcare provider around age 50. In western Kansas, rates of aggressive prostate cancer are higher than the national average. While a variety of factors may influence this trend, earlier screening may be recommended for some men, especially those who:
- Have a family history of prostate cancer
- Are at higher risk due to genetic or other health factors
Talking to your HaysMed healthcare provider can help determine what’s appropriate based on individual health history and risk factors.
Why Early Detection Matters
When prostate cancer is found early, before symptoms appear, it is often more treatable. Early detection can:
- Increase treatment options
- Improve outcomes
- Provide peace of mind through monitoring or timely care
Because prostate cancer often develops slowly and without noticeable symptoms at first, regular conversations with a provider are an important part of proactive health care.
HaysMed’s Commitment to Men’s Health
HaysMed offers comprehensive men’s health services, including prostate cancer screening, advanced diagnostic tools, and coordinated care close to home. Our care teams are here to answer questions, provide education, and support patients at every stage.
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, HaysMed encourages men and their families to stay informed, start conversations, and prioritize health for today and the future.
HaysMed provides comprehensive, specialized care for prostate cancer and men’s urologic health. Through Western Kansas Urological Associates and the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute, patients can access early screenings, robotic surgeries, and advanced radiation therapy close to home.
Services and treatment options include:
Diagnostics & Screenings
- Early Detection: The Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute and affiliated clinics offer routine PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) tests for early detection, which is highly recommended for men over 50 or those with risk factors.
- Vision RT Technology: State-of-the-art 3D imaging technology helps ensure accuracy throughout treatment.
Treatment Options
- Robotic Surgery: Surgeons utilize the da Vinci Surgical System to perform minimally invasive prostatectomies. This allows for improved precision, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times compared to open surgery.
- Radiation Therapy: HaysMed offers advanced, highly targeted radiation treatments designed with both precision and patient convenience in mind.
Expert Urology Care for Western Kansas
HaysMed’s Urology team provides comprehensive care for patients with both routine and complex urologic conditions. With a team of physicians, advanced practice providers, and specialists, patients have access to expert care close to home.
Beyond serving patients in Hays, our team extends specialty expertise across the region through outreach services at regional hospitals and specialty clinic appointments in Great Bend and Dodge City, helping more patients receive advanced urologic care without traveling long distances.
The HaysMed Urology team includes:
- Ernesto Lopez-Corona, MD
- Kevin McDonald, MD
- Kevin Nasseri, MD
- Srinivas Samavedi, MD
- Caitlin Gabel, APRN
- Ed Habash, PA
- Christina Schmidt, APRN
- Danielle VonFeldt, APRN
Contact Information
- Primary Care: Your primary care provider can help you stay proactive about your health. Don’t have a primary care provider? HaysMed Family Medicine is accepting new patients. Call 785-623-5095 to establish care and schedule an appointment.
- Urology appointments: Call 785-628-6014 to reach Western Kansas Urological Associates at HaysMed.
