Health News
by Sandra Crockett
When it comes to cancer screening, the process of early detection and treatment seem straightforward. But slightly revised guidelines from the American Cancer Society encourage physicians and patients to have a conversation about prostate cancer. The goal is to help men in their decision-making process regarding screening.
?We are now at the beginning of a very large conversation with the public over treatment of prostate cancer,? says S. Mark Redwood, M.D., Chief of Department of Urology at Sinai Hospital.
The guidelines focus on men with no symptoms of prostate cancer who can expect to live at least 10 more years. These men are encouraged to discuss the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with prostate cancer screening with their physician, with the talks starting at age 50. Men with no symptoms who are not expected to live more than 10 years (due to their age or health conditions) should not be offered prostate cancer screening.
The risks or side effects of treatment may outweigh the benefits of treatment, the ACS says.
?What is new is the direct statement that if a patient has many (serious) conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or other illnesses that would shorten his life, less aggressive approaches should be taken with respect to screening for prostate cancer,? Dr. Redwood says.
However, this opens another dilemma. ?The problem arises in the judgment of what constitutes a serious co-morbid condition and what is less life threatening,? he says.
What also hasn?t changed is the ACS recommendation that African-American men, and men who have a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 begin discussing screening options at age 45. Men with multiple family members affected by the disease before age 65 can start at age 40.
Prostate cancers are now being classified into low, intermediate and high risk, Dr. Redwood says. If the man is still undecided after talking with their doctor, ACS recommends the doctor make the call based on his or her knowledge of the patient's health preferences and values.
?We are fortunate to have multiple modalities for prostate cancer treatment, including Cyberknife, prostatic brachytherapy, da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy and cryoablation of the prostate at the the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at LifeBridge Health,? Dr. Redwood says.
It would benefit the patient and his family to have these conversations with a LifeBridge physician who is comfortable with presenting all aspects of management.
?We provide comprehensive care of prostate cancer,? Dr. Redwood says.
For patient education and availability of comprehensive services for prostate cancer management, LifeBridge Health invites patients and their families to participate in this new dialogue now encouraged by the ACS guidelines.
To make an appointment with a urologist, please call 410-601-WELL (9355).
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- Study Finds New Prostate-cancer Test Is Better Than Current One
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- Prostate Cancer Screening
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom If you?re a man or someone who cares about one, you?ll want to pay attention to the updated government panel recommendations for prostate cancer screening in healthy men. A panel of national experts reviewed the risks and benefits...
- Prostate Cancer: A Roller Coaster Of A Ride
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Health News
Guidelines for Prostate Cancer Screening Revised
by Sandra Crockett
When it comes to cancer screening, the process of early detection and treatment seem straightforward. But slightly revised guidelines from the American Cancer Society encourage physicians and patients to have a conversation about prostate cancer. The goal is to help men in their decision-making process regarding screening.
?We are now at the beginning of a very large conversation with the public over treatment of prostate cancer,? says S. Mark Redwood, M.D., Chief of Department of Urology at Sinai Hospital.
The guidelines focus on men with no symptoms of prostate cancer who can expect to live at least 10 more years. These men are encouraged to discuss the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits associated with prostate cancer screening with their physician, with the talks starting at age 50. Men with no symptoms who are not expected to live more than 10 years (due to their age or health conditions) should not be offered prostate cancer screening.
The risks or side effects of treatment may outweigh the benefits of treatment, the ACS says.
?What is new is the direct statement that if a patient has many (serious) conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or other illnesses that would shorten his life, less aggressive approaches should be taken with respect to screening for prostate cancer,? Dr. Redwood says.
However, this opens another dilemma. ?The problem arises in the judgment of what constitutes a serious co-morbid condition and what is less life threatening,? he says.
What also hasn?t changed is the ACS recommendation that African-American men, and men who have a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 begin discussing screening options at age 45. Men with multiple family members affected by the disease before age 65 can start at age 40.
Prostate cancers are now being classified into low, intermediate and high risk, Dr. Redwood says. If the man is still undecided after talking with their doctor, ACS recommends the doctor make the call based on his or her knowledge of the patient's health preferences and values.
?We are fortunate to have multiple modalities for prostate cancer treatment, including Cyberknife, prostatic brachytherapy, da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy and cryoablation of the prostate at the the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at LifeBridge Health,? Dr. Redwood says.
It would benefit the patient and his family to have these conversations with a LifeBridge physician who is comfortable with presenting all aspects of management.
?We provide comprehensive care of prostate cancer,? Dr. Redwood says.
For patient education and availability of comprehensive services for prostate cancer management, LifeBridge Health invites patients and their families to participate in this new dialogue now encouraged by the ACS guidelines.
To make an appointment with a urologist, please call 410-601-WELL (9355).
- Wkyt Anchor Sam Dick Finishes Radiation Treatment For Recurring Prostate Cancer; Encourages Others To Monitor Their Health
Photo from www.mediabistro.com Longtime WKYT-TV anchor Sam Dick believed that his battle with prostate cancer was over, but found out six months ago that some of the cancer remained. He reported on his diagnosis and treatment as he neared the...
- Federal Panel Says Psa Screening For Prostate Cancer Does More Harm Than Good, But No Better Test Is Available
Prostate cancer cells. Getty Images photo by Abbey Michael.An influential federal panel says testing healthy men's prostate-specific antigen levels to detect prostate cancer does more harm than good. The PSA test can lead to unnecessary biopsies for...
- Study Finds New Prostate-cancer Test Is Better Than Current One
Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles say they have developed a new test for prostate cancer that is "more sensitive and more specific" than the usual test for prostate-specific antigen, the UCLA Health System says in a news release...
- Prostate Cancer Screening
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom If you?re a man or someone who cares about one, you?ll want to pay attention to the updated government panel recommendations for prostate cancer screening in healthy men. A panel of national experts reviewed the risks and benefits...
- Prostate Cancer: A Roller Coaster Of A Ride
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in American men. According to the American Cancer Society, ?about 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.? Out of every 36 American men, one will actually die...