Transcript Prostate Cancer, Start the Conversation

Prostate Cancer
Start the Conversation
Us TOO International
Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network
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Us TOO educational resources and support services help men and their
spouses/partners and families make informed decisions about prostate cancer
detection, treatment options and related side effects.
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Us TOO website (www.ustoo.org)
Inspire online communities
Toll-free Us TOO Prostate Cancer HelpLine (1-800-808-7866); which includes
matching callers with similar survivors or caregivers for peer-to-peer conversations
Chapter/support group services & telephone support group
Monthly Hot SHEET newsletter
Frequent ‘News You Can Use’ updates and articles
Educational content – digital and printed
Educational events and presentations
Awareness/fundraising through special events like the Rochester SEA Blue Ribbon
Walk, SEA Blue Chicago Walk & Run
walk/run and numerous local events across the country
Advocacy initiatives to impact legislation for prostate cancer research funding
• Gland that’s about the size and shape of a walnut
• Located below the bladder and in front of the rectum
• Produces a fluid that mixes with sperm
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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men
It’s the second most common cause of death from cancer
in men (following lung cancer)
Nearly 30,000 men die every year from prostate cancer
More than 200,000 men are diagnosed every year
More than 2 million men in the U.S. are living with a
prostate cancer diagnosis
That number is estimated to climb to 4 million by 2024
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Age: 97% are men age 50+ and 60% are men 65+
Race - African American men:
Have the highest incidence of prostate cancer
Are 60 % more likely to develop the disease compared
to Caucasian men
And more than twice as likely to die from it
Genetics: Men with a family history of prostate cancer are
at higher risk for developing prostate cancer
Veterans: Vietnam & Korean War veterans exposed to
Agent Orange (or men exposed to excessive chemicals)
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Screening for prostate cancer includes:
◦ PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test
◦ DRE (digital rectal exam)
◦ Biopsy for diagnosis
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Confusion over inconsistent messages about the value
of PSA testing
◦ USPSTF
◦ Current CMS “Non-Recommended PSA-Based Screening”
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Increased diagnosis of advanced disease
Cell formations are graded on a
scale of 3 to 5:
Grade 5: cancer cells appear as
sheets;
high-grade cancer/aggressive
Grade 4: cancer cells appear
poorly differentiated (irregular
shapes and combinations)
Grade 3: cancer cells appear
moderately differentiated
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Grade Group 1 (Gleason score ≤ 6) Only individual discrete
well-formed glands
Grade Group 2 (Gleason score 3+4=7) Predominantly wellformed with lesser component of poorly-formed glands
Grade Group 3 (Gleason score 4+3=7) Predominantly
poorly-formed glands with lesser component of well-formed
glands
Grade Group 4 (Gleason score 8) Only poorly-formed/fused
glands
Grade Group 5 (Gleason score 9 to 10) Lacks gland
formation
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Rather than any “quick fix” for prostate cancer, there
are many treatment options and related side effects
that each patient needs to evaluate
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Avoid being over-treated or under-treated
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Active Surveillance
Surgery
Radiation (external or brachytherapy)
Cryotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Chemotherapy
Biotherapy
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Initial Treatment
◦ Surgery
◦ Radiation
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Common Side Effects
◦ Erectile Dysfunction
◦ Incontinence
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Erectile Dysfunction
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Pills
Injections
Pumps
Implants
Incontinence
◦ Pads
◦ Slings
◦ Artificial Sphincter
Lack of prostate cancer awareness & education
about the disease/detection
No symptoms until disease is advanced
Confusion over PSA testing per USPSTF guidelines
Once diagnosed, there’s no single “best” treatment
Every treatment has side effects
Misnomer that men don’t die from prostate cancer
If detected early, it can be cured… There IS a cure for
cancer – under the right circumstances!
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Find Prostate Cancer Educational Resources
& Support Services at www.UsTOO.org
Thank You!