Well - Summer 2011 - (Page 7)

FREE Prostate Cancer Screening “Each treatment option influences patients’ lives and lifestyles in different ways,” Dr. Chen explains. “By including the viewpoints and knowledge of many health care professionals, all of whom specialize in the treatment of prostate cancer, we can make sure that patients are fully educated on all the choices and their potential quality-of-life effects.” In most cases, radiation therapy and surgery are utilized for early- and intermediate-stage prostate cancer, and medical oncology treatment, such as hormone injections and chemotherapy (drugs), is used for more advanced stages. At UNC Health Care, medical oncologists are involved at the outset of each patient’s care, which expands the spectrum of treatment options and ensures the most thorough approach to cancer care. “It’s also important to note that, in many cases, the best course is no treatment at all,” Dr. Pruthi says.“We often rely on a process of highly attentive patient monitoring called ‘active surveillance.’ A significant number of our active surveillance patients never receive any type of direct cancer treatment. For early-stage patients, this may be an important option to consider, because some early cancer may never become lifethreatening. Active surveillance, therefore, may be a way to avoid the side effects of treatment.” In recognition of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, Sept. 18–24, 2011, the UNC Urology Clinic is offering free prostate cancer screening tests (blood tests and manual exams) from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 22. The clinic is on the second floor of N.C. Memorial Hospital. Call (919) 966-1316 to find out whether you should be screened and to get more information. Details of each of these treatments are available on the UNC Health Care website. Robot-Assisted Surgery Effective Radiation Therapies “The radiation therapies available at UNC Health Care utilize the latest technologies that are extremely accurate and precise in delivering treatment exactly where it is needed, which improves cure while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and significantly reducing side effects,” says Dr. Chen. “UNC is truly unique in our ability to care for prostate cancer patients because many of these technologies are not available elsewhere.” Radiation therapies include intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Calypso, CyberKnife and brachytherapy. Today’s surgery for prostate cancer delivers a very high cure and success rate, aided by innovations in robotic techniques that significantly improve surgical precision and reduce recovery time. “Robotics allow surgeons to utilize magnification, scaled movements and a computer-assisted interface to achieve the highest standards of surgical intervention in a precise and lessinvasive manner,” says Dr. Pruthi. “Because robotics improve clinical outcomes while minimizing side effects and pain, we rely on it for virtually all of our prostate cancer surgeries. “We’re constantly exploring new surgical technologies and treatments,” says Dr. Pruthi, “to deliver a positive outcome for each patient.” Medical oncologists specialize in the use of hormone therapy and chemotherapy in the treatment and management of prostate cancer. “As a leading academic medical center, we are familiar with and have access to all the latest treatments in medical oncology, which include significant new hormonal therapies and chemotherapy medications, and a new cancer vaccine,” says Dr. Whang. Over the last several years, he notes, the FDA has approved several new drugs for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. In addition, the FDA recently Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate—a gland in the approved a new vaccine, Provenge, which male reproductive system—grow and multiply, sometimes damaging stimulates the immune system to destroy surrounding tissue and spreading to other parts of the body. cancer cells. UNC Lineberger is one of More than 32,000 Americans and nearly 1,000 North Carolinians die of prostate cancer each year, according to the American Cancer only a few health care organizations in Society (ACS). the nation where Provenge is available. Treatment of prostate cancer is highly effective, however, if the dis“UNC is truly unique in its approach ease is discovered early. Screening tests have proved to be valuable in to and treatment of prostate cancer and detection. The ACS recommends screening be considered at age 50 other urologic cancers,” Dr. Whang says. for men at average risk of acquiring the disease, and at younger ages “Every aspect of our medical experifor those in high-risk categories. ence, skills, resources and advancements Check with your doctor to assess your individual risk, and learn are collectively focused on every patient about the possible symptoms of prostate cancer. from the outset. It’s what really defines comprehensive cancer care.” The Latest in Medical Treatment Early Detection Leads to Best Results www.unchealthcare.org 7 http://www.unchealthcare.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Well - Summer 2011

Well - Summer 2011
Contents
UNC Health Care News
Community
Radio City Rockettes Visit Children’s Hospital
Prostate Protection
Surgery Through Oxlee’s Eyes
Nutrition
Calendar

Well - Summer 2011