Larry L. Bans, MD – Urologist
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Video: Dr. Larry Bans
Meet Dr. Bans, an experienced urologist who specializes in prostate cancer. Dr. Bans talks about his personal experiences fighting prostate cancer and how it’s helped him better relate to his patients.Dr. Larry Bans
Meet Dr. Bans, an experienced urologist who specializes in prostate cancer. Dr. Bans talks about his personal experiences fighting prostate cancer and how it’s helped him better relate to his patients.
Dr. Larry Bans knows firsthand what it’s like to deal with a cancer diagnosis. In February 2003, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent a radical prostatectomy (an operation to remove the prostate gland), a surgical procedure he regularly performs for his own patients. The life-changing experience inspired the urologist to narrow his focus on diagnosing and treating prostate cancer and other prostate diseases.
“I can talk to patients now and relate to their fears, anxiety and their decision-making issues in terms of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment,” says Dr. Bans. “I can inform them, from a personal and professional basis, as to what they may or may not go through.”
He adds, “I think it gives great credibility to my recommendations to patients. Many of my patients really feel a bond that I’ve been diagnosed and treated myself, and now I am able to treat them.”
Dr. Bans always wanted to assemble a group of cancer experts for a multidisciplinary prostate cancer center. In 2010, he realized the expert radiation oncology, medical oncology and ancillary services he wanted to offer his patients in addition to his expertise were in Goodyear, Arizona at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Western Regional Medical Center. That year, Dr. Bans began to work with CTCA to provide comprehensive treatment to men fighting prostate cancer.
“It’s been a dream realized that I can work with the physicians here at CTCA to formulate treatment plans and advise patients. Here patients get opinions from a surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, and other specialists, all under one roof and all at one time, allowing them to make educated decisions about their disease.”
Board certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology, Dr. Bans earned a medical degree from Cornell University. He completed a surgical internship and residency in urology at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis.
Before pursuing his medical degree, Dr. Bans completed a bachelor’s degree at University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Since 1983, Dr. Bans has been practicing urology in the Phoenix area. He served patients at Urology Associates in Phoenix for 20 years before moving onto Prostate Solutions of Arizona, a private practice.
Each year, Dr. Bans performs approximately 100 radical prostatectomy procedures. He says his patients’ outcomes with avoiding permanent incontinence are very good.
Dr. Bans has served as the National Medical Director of Sports Legends Prostate Cancer Projects. He has also been peer-selected as a top doctor in PHOENIX magazine for more than 16 years. Dr. Bans has participated in a number of prostate research projects. Additionally, he speaks about men’s health topics and prostate disease regularly at various clinical and non-clinical conferences.
