health
continued from page 58
works well for patients who want a
minimally invasive treatment and
have concerns about preserving
their sexual function and quality of
life. It can be done in the office by a
trained urologist under local anes-
thesia.”
Paul recalls, “I was slightly
uncomfortable for a couple of days
following the procedure but had
absolutely no down time, no symp-
toms and no irritation. If your eli-
gible, it’s a no brainer.”
Relle adds, “The right treatment
for any one patient depends on his
symptoms and his test results. Not
every treatment option is good for
every patient. Meet with your physi-
cian and find out what will work
best for you.”
OPEN HOUSE INVITATION
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who desire social opportunities, luxury amenities, and a worry-
free lifestyle. With a great location and warm, caring staff,
you’ll feel right at home as soon as you step inside.
Stop by our holiday open house to learn more!
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60
November 30 • 2017
jn
According to the American
Cancer Society’s estimates, next to
skin cancer, prostate cancer in the
U.S. is the most common cancer for
American men. There are more than
150,000 new cases of prostate cancer
this year and close to 27,000 deaths
from prostate cancer. Developing
mostly in older men, about one
man in seven will be diagnosed with
prostate cancer during his lifetime,
the average age at diagnosis being
about 66.
Although it is the third leading
cause of cancer death in American
men, most men diagnosed with
prostate cancer do not die from it.
In fact, more than 2.9 million men
in the U.S. diagnosed with prostate
cancer at some point are still alive
today.
PROSTATE CANCER
“Recommendations by profes-
“Many of the symptoms of
sional organizations vary,
an enlarged prostate and
however, for cancer screening
prostate cancer are similar
tests including the prostate-
so that the two conditions
specific antigen (PSA) test,”
can be difficult to dis-
Krauss says. “Although the
tinguish,” says Dr. Daniel
decision to have a PSA test is
Krauss, M.D., radiation
something a patient should
oncologist at Beaumont
decide after discussing it with
Health System and assis-
his doctor, while considering
Dr. Daniel Krauss
tant professor, OU William
risk factors and personal pref-
Beaumont School of
erences. I generally tell my
Medicine. “In addition,
patients the benefits of early
prostate cancer has no early symp-
detection outweigh the risk.”
toms and usually grows slowly.”
One of the more common non-
invasive and effective treatments for
prostate cancer is radiation therapy.
SYMPTOMS OF
“The problem is radiation can
ENLARGED PROSTATE:
cause injury to adjacent healthy
• Difficulty starting urination
tissue creating bowel and urinary
• A week or slow urinary stream
problems as well as erectile disfunc-
tion,” Krauss says. “Fortunately,
• A feeling of incomplete bladder
there is now a technique in which a
emptying
temporary gel, SpaceOar hydrogel, is
• Frequent urination
injected through a small needle into
• Urgency to urinate
the space between the prostate and
• Straining to urinate
rectum, pushing the rectum out of
• Frequently getting up at night
the high-dose radiation region. The
to urinate
patient receives a local or general
• A urinary stream that starts
anesthesia for this outpatient proce-
and stops
dure. The hydrogel remains in place
• Continued dribbling of urine
for three months during prostate
• Feeling you need to urinate
radiotherapy, after which it liquefies
minutes after finishing
and is absorbed and cleared in the
patient’s urine.”
RISK FACTORS FOR
Follow-up studies report that
PROSTATE CANCER
fewer patients using SpaceOar
• A man’s risk increases with age.
hydrogel during radiation described
• Black men are at greater risk of
significant declines in their bowel
prostate cancer, which is also likely
and urinary functions and were bet-
to be more aggressive.
ter able to retain sexual function
If you have men in your family with
over a longer period.
prostate cancer and a strong family
As efforts continue to improve
history of breast cancer (BRCA1 or
new methods of care for prostate
BRCA2), your risk of prostate cancer
health, it becomes more evident
may be higher.
that research continues to be one of
Obese men diagnosed with prostate
the fastest and safest ways to find
treatments that work. •
cancer are at risk of a more advanced
disease that’s difficult to treat.