Health News
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 end of a seven-week course of radiation.
"Being told you have cancer is life-changing," Dick said. "Three and a half years ago, many of you followed my journey fighting prostate cancer and were very supportive as I decided to have surgery to remove the prostate. I was told by doctors at the time, I was cured."
But six months ago his prostate specific antigen levels, which had stayed undetectable for two years after his prostate was removed, crept up, so he started daily treatments at Lexington Clinic's John D. Cronin Cancer Center. PSA levels can vary widely and can be unreliable, but are the best diagnostic tool available. "In my case, a rising number means cancer is likely still present," he explained. Dick's treatment was tailored to his medical condition and cancer history.
Dick has maintained his regular schedule of anchoring WKYT's evening newscasts and had told only a handful of people about the cancer's recurrence, but as he approached his last radiation treatment he said he wanted to remind others about the importance of watching for warning signs.
"We can't see the cancer cells in a situation when we're treating for a rising PSA after surgery, but we know where we need to treat because there is an overwhelming likelihood that the reason that the PSA is going up is because there is residual disease in the pelvis so that's our target," Dr. Janalyn Prows, a radiation oncologist, said in the WKYT report.
"It's not uncommon for men who've had their prostate removed because of cancer to find out years later some cancer" remains, but it's not what I expected, or centrality wanted," Dick said.
His father, journalist and author David Dick, battled prostate cancer for more than a decade before dying of it a few years ago. He referred to that and said, "I feel blessed. They had nothing like this available. The advances of medical technology are a blessing I'm taking advantage of, and I'm hopeful and optimistic it's going to work."
Dick will have his follow up PSA in two months. "At that time, we'll see where I am," Dick said. "Until then, I appreciate all the emails, Facebook posts, and notes of support and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men after skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. For more information about it, click here.
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Health News
WKYT anchor Sam Dick finishes radiation treatment for recurring prostate cancer; encourages others to monitor their health
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| Photo from www.mediabistro.com |
"Being told you have cancer is life-changing," Dick said. "Three and a half years ago, many of you followed my journey fighting prostate cancer and were very supportive as I decided to have surgery to remove the prostate. I was told by doctors at the time, I was cured."
But six months ago his prostate specific antigen levels, which had stayed undetectable for two years after his prostate was removed, crept up, so he started daily treatments at Lexington Clinic's John D. Cronin Cancer Center. PSA levels can vary widely and can be unreliable, but are the best diagnostic tool available. "In my case, a rising number means cancer is likely still present," he explained. Dick's treatment was tailored to his medical condition and cancer history.
Dick has maintained his regular schedule of anchoring WKYT's evening newscasts and had told only a handful of people about the cancer's recurrence, but as he approached his last radiation treatment he said he wanted to remind others about the importance of watching for warning signs.
"We can't see the cancer cells in a situation when we're treating for a rising PSA after surgery, but we know where we need to treat because there is an overwhelming likelihood that the reason that the PSA is going up is because there is residual disease in the pelvis so that's our target," Dr. Janalyn Prows, a radiation oncologist, said in the WKYT report.
"It's not uncommon for men who've had their prostate removed because of cancer to find out years later some cancer" remains, but it's not what I expected, or centrality wanted," Dick said.
His father, journalist and author David Dick, battled prostate cancer for more than a decade before dying of it a few years ago. He referred to that and said, "I feel blessed. They had nothing like this available. The advances of medical technology are a blessing I'm taking advantage of, and I'm hopeful and optimistic it's going to work."
Dick will have his follow up PSA in two months. "At that time, we'll see where I am," Dick said. "Until then, I appreciate all the emails, Facebook posts, and notes of support and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men after skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. For more information about it, click here.
- Lung Cancer Gets Much Less Research Funding Than Other Cancers, But Is Deadlier, Especially In Kentucky
Lung cancer takes more lives annually than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined, but the disease "generally doesn't get the public attention or research dollars in proportion to its lethality," Arielle Densen, co-founder of Lung Cancer Free...
- 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...
- 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...