“Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is not a death sentence. … Early diagnosis and treatment afford one the best chances of conquering this disease.”
Dr. Brian Keith McNeil, Vice-Chair, Department of Urology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
The Keys to Treating Diabetes in Patients With Obesity
Demystifying Prostate Cancer: Signs, Treatments, and Care Options
In the world of healthcare, the disease of obesity emerges as a particularly intricate challenge.
Prostate cancer awareness is crucial. Know the signs, treatment options, possible side effects, and available solutions for effective management and informed decisions.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, with about 1 in 8 men being diagnosed during their lifetime.¹ Recognizing early warning signs, such as difficulty urinating, blood in urine, and pelvic discomfort, is essential. Early detection through screenings like PSA tests, digital rectal exams, and biopsies can lead to more effective treatment.
Treatment options for prostate cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy for advanced cases. Many men experience incontinence after prostate cancer treatment. Coping strategies include pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle changes, and medications. Proper management is vital to maintain quality of life.
Reliable incontinence products can make a significant difference for men dealing with incontinence. Attends offers specially designed Men’s Underwear and Male Guard products that provide comfort, discretion, and ultimate absorbency. These solutions help men regain confidence and manage incontinence effectively.
By staying informed about prostate cancer and utilizing the right incontinence products, men can navigate their health journey with confidence.
Refrences
¹ Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer: Prostate Cancer Facts, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostatecancer/about/key-statistics.html
For more information, and to browse Attends’ full line of incontinence solutions designed for men, visit Attends.com
What Men Need to Know About Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers in men. In fact, more than 3 million men in America are living with prostate cancer right now, and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed at some point.
Remarkably, prostate cancer is more common among men than colon, kidney, skin, and stomach cancer combined. The good news is that prostate cancer can be treated — especially when caught early.
Be aware that in the early stages, most people don’t experience any symptoms — that’s why screening starting at age 50 is so important. Another thing to keep in mind is that many symptoms of prostate cancer are consistent with other conditions, so you’ll want to talk with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment options
Patients are often surprised to learn that direct intervention isn’t always the first step. Physicians advise many patients to take a “wait-and-see” approach since prostate cancer is typically slow-growing, and some treatments have side effects that outweigh their benefits.
If you do decide to treat your prostate cancer, you can take comfort in knowing today’s treatments are highly effective. Among the most common is the removal of the prostate, also known as a prostatectomy.
Prostate surgery
Prostate surgery involves removing all or part of the prostate gland, depending on your particular condition. There are different types of procedures your doctor may choose, all usually requiring a short hospital stay and limited activity for a time afterward.
While prostate surgery is usually highly successful, one unfortunate side effect that nearly all men experience following their procedure is bladder leakage.
Publisher Bryan Espinosa Managing Director Gretchen Pancak Production Manager Dustin Brennan
Post-prostate surgery incontinence
Luckily, there are many ways to treat and manage incontinence following prostate surgery, and most men find that they regain control within a few months.
• Absorbent products: Disposable or reusable absorbent products are a leading choice because they tend to fit and feel like normal underwear.
• Pelvic floor exercises: Also known as Kegels, these help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and the urethra.
• Biofeedback: Through the use of sensors placed on your body, you can teach yourself to control your muscles using visual and auditory cues.
• Medications: There are medicines to help improve urine flow and reduce leakage, as well as others that can help reduce the urge to urinate.
• Surgery: For some men, surgery may be necessary to treat incontinence after prostate surgery. Surgery can involve the implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter, the placement of a urethral sling to support the urethra, or the use of a bulking agent that is injected into the tissue surrounding the urethra to help close it.
Incontinence after prostate surgery is common, but it can be managed. If you’re experiencing incontinence after prostate surgery, talk to your doctor to determine the best course of action.
To learn more, visit the National Association for Continence, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with bowel and bladder dysfunction, at nafc.org
Written by The National Association for Continence
An Urgent Message for Black Men About
Prostate Cancer
The inequities that exist in prostate cancer access and outcomes are dire, especially for Black men. As part of a special Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Q&A, Brian Bragg, ZERO’s chief mission officer, talks about prostate cancer, health equity, and ZERO’s bold goal to make prostate cancer screenings accessible for all.
How are Black men disproportionately affected by prostate cancer?
After decades of working at one of the largest federally qualified health centers in the country, I’ve seen firsthand the impacts of health disparities. At the highest risk, data shows that Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. Black men are also more likely than white men to be diagnosed with advanced disease. One in six Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, compared with 1 in 8 men overall. The urgency for Black men is clear and cannot be ignored.
The numbers are alarming. What’s being done to change them?
Detecting prostate cancer early is vital to beating this disease. Eliminating barriers to early detection is one of ZERO’s top legislative priorities. We champion the PSA Screening for Him Act, which would remove cost-sharing requirements for PSA (prostate-specific
antigen) screenings for high-risk individuals. At the state level, ZERO leads the charge to connect with legislatures and introduce legislation to eliminate cost-sharing for prostate cancer screening. Our bold goal is to make screening free in 25 states by 2030.
Why is the message, “Early detection saves lives” so important?
The prostate cancer survival rate is nearly 100% if caught early. That’s why people at the highest risk must have access to the necessary tools to detect prostate cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. When men face barriers to prostate cancer screening, it increases their risk for diagnosis with advanced disease, and that’s simply unacceptable.
What’s being done to raise the urgency around prostate cancer? With prostate cancer cases on the rise, and as a Black man who is at higher risk for the disease, I feel a shared sense of
urgency to dismantle barriers, empower communities, and pave the way for better and more sustainable approaches to interventions that address prostate health and ultimately end prostate cancer. Investing in early detection measures, community outreach, and advancing access to quality care for all are critical steps to saving and extending more lives. ZERO is making this a priority through our advocacy and educational efforts.
What should our readers do to lower their risk?
Talk about the risks for prostate cancer. Awareness is key, so discuss your family health history with your loved ones. Understand your personal risk factors and make an appointment with your doctor to understand when prostate screening is right for you. Together, we can move toward a world in which we have zero stigma around talking about prostate cancer, zero barriers to screenings and care, and ultimately zero deaths from this disease.
INTERVIEW WITH Brian Bragg Chief Mission Officer, ZERO
Alonzo Mourning Opens Up About His Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Former NBA player Alonzo Mourning is talking about his prostate cancer diagnosis to encourage men to be proactive about their healthcare.
What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis of prostate cancer?
I was shocked because I felt so good and I was asymptomatic and working out. I was feeling strong and feeling great. I had no symptoms whatsoever, and then my urologist called me and said, “Hey, man, your PSA is a little elevated. I want you to get an MRI.”
I told them on the phone that I felt great. He said, “Well, unfortunately, if you have prostate cancer, then a lot of times you have no symptoms in the beginning stages.” When I scheduled the MRI, I was thinking about the millions of men out there who are walking around feeling great, and they have cancer in their bodies. I had stage three cancer, and I didn’t even know it.
If I had not gone to the doctor, it would have spread through my body, and it would have killed me within a year or two. I’m hoping that my voice, my experience, and my being transparent with my diagnosis will encourage men, especially men of color, because it’s an epidemic.
You battled serious kidney disease in 2003, which caused you to sit out for the remainder of the NBA season. How did that experience differ from being diagnosed with prostate cancer? The biggest difference is that,
with prostate cancer, I was asymptomatic. With kidney disease, I had symptoms. I had very low energy, and I was very lethargic, I had swelling in my lower extremities, my legs, my feet, ankles — everything was swollen. I had foam in my urine. It was bad. My kidneys were failing. Luckily, now my kidney function is stable and it’s so much better.
As far as the surgery is concerned, both of them were very invasive surgeries. When I had my kidney transplant, I was in such good shape as an athlete, so my recovery time was cut in half. It took me a good six months to recover from the kidney transplant surgery. I was back on the court again, going full tilt.
On the other hand, my prostate surgery — a robotic proctectomy — was three months ago, but it feels like it was almost yesterday. I’m all healed up, but I’m still having some urinary complications and other complications that only time will heal. I’m able to go to the gym and work out moderately, I’m able to play golf, but I’m still in the healing process.
Do you have a message for other men who are in your position?
The number one message I want men to know is that we all take our health for granted until it’s our own health that’s affected. I
took my health for granted until something like this happened, and then that’s when I realized how blessed I am to have the ability to go to the doctor and just get a checkup.
Take the opportunity to go to the doctor and be proactive with your health. It can save your life, it can save your family the stress and grief, and it could keep you on this Earth.
You can continue to take care of your kids, support your family, and do the things that you love to do just by being proactive
with your health. The only way that we’re going to tackle these statistics is for men to be educated and for us to change the narrative of men not going to the doctor. That’s the only way that we’re going to change this. We have to start talking about it. We have to break down barriers of men being embarrassed to talk about their health. We have to start having a dialogue, and we have to put things into action. Nothing is going to start changing unless we start talking about it.
Alonzo Mourning | Photo courtesy of NBA Photos
The New Evidence-Based Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines for Black Men
To help reduce health disparities for Black men related to prostate cancer, the Prostate Cancer Foundation has published new screening guidelines for Black men in the United States.
Did you know that 1 in 6 Black men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, versus 1 in 8 white men? Black men are also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, with more aggressive disease, and are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer.
Since its founding in 1993, the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has been working to reduce these disparities by funding research to understand the causes, and by raising awareness about the importance of screening and early detection.
Key guidelines for screening PCF brought together a panel of top
experts in prostate cancer and racial disparities to establish a set of evidence-based guidelines for prostate cancer screening specifically for Black men. The expert panel recently published the following “Prostate Cancer Foundation Guideline Statements for Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men in the United States” in the scientific journal NEJM Evidence. Here’s what you need to know:
• The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test that should be considered first-line for prostate cancer screening.
• Since Black men are at higher risk for prostate cancer, the benefits of screening generally outweigh the risks.
• For Black men who decide to screen, a first ”baseline” PSA test should be done between the ages of 40 and 45. Depending on the PSA value and the individual’s health status, annual PSA screening should be strongly considered.
• Decisions about PSA testing depend on individual preferences. Black men should talk to their doctors to learn about the pros and cons of screening and share decision-making about screening.
Visit pcf.org for more information and the full list of screening guidelines.
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The Changing Shape of Prostate Cancer Detection
About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, but the screening process for this relatively common cancer isn’t always straightforward. Diagnosis can be a drawn-out and stressful experience that takes weeks, or even years, of monitoring and testing.
Many men undergo invasive prostate biopsies — the procedure required to officially diagnose prostate cancer — to get definite answers. However, the National Cancer Institute estimates only a quarter of men who get a prostate biopsy following elevated test results have cancer.
To simplify the prostate cancer screening process and reduce the number of men getting unnecessary prostate biopsies, Cleveland Diagnostics created the IsoPSA test.
During prostate cancer screening, doctors must rely on tests that don’t always provide clear answers. For example, the first step in screening is often a blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein that is usually elevated when prostate cancer is present. There’s only one problem — the PSA test isn’t cancer-specific. There are many non-cancerous reasons
for PSA levels to rise, like riding a bike, recent sexual activity, or an enlarged prostate. Thus, following an elevated PSA result, doctors must gather more information to help them determine if a biopsy is needed.
With a simple blood draw, IsoPSA can help provide this much-needed insight. Instead of measuring PSA concentration, IsoPSA looks at the structure, or shape, of the PSA protein. Specifically, it looks at modified forms of PSA that were made by cancerous cells and have a different shape compared to normal PSA.
The results of IsoPSA are more specific to cancer, making it much simpler for doctors to interpret the results and help patients decide if a biopsy is right for them. In clinical studies, the results of IsoPSA helped more than half of patients avoid a painful, risky prostate biopsy.
Written by Arnon Chait, Ph.D., M.B.A., CEO, Cleveland Diagnostics
To learn more about IsoPSA, visit IsoPSA.com
Staci Vernick
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Why Talking About Urological and Sexual Health Shouldn’t Be Shameful
Urologist Rena Malik, who has more than 2 million subscribers on YouTube, discusses how to care for your mental and sexual health while experiencing urological conditions.
How do urological conditions, such as urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction, impact a patient’s overall sexual health and quality of life, and what holistic approaches do you employ in managing these issues?
These conditions can have a dramatic impact on quality of life. People tend to minimize them because they’re not life-threatening, but the psychological impact of living with sexual dysfunction or urinary and bladder issues can be dramatic. It can lead to anxiety, depression, isolation, decreased work productivity, and even financial implications due to the cost of products like pads or diapers. My approach to managing these
issues focuses on evaluating the patient’s goals and their level of motivation. There are certainly lifestyle changes one can make that can lead to dramatic impacts, and there are also effective and more invasive options like medications and procedures.
Could you share some insights into the interplay between mental health and sexual function in patients with urological conditions? How do you integrate psychological support into your treatment plans?
Sexual health is biopsychosocial. There are no biological issues that cause sexual dysfunction that don’t have an interplay with psychology, so it’s important to
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look at patients in that framework. While they’re dealing with this biological issue, it’s creating havoc on their mental health in some capacity, whether it’s anxiety, rumination, or frustration.
I look at patients as a whole individual and not just one system. I think it’s important to work in a team; very often I refer patients to sex therapy so they can have someone with appropriate expertise, knowledge, and time to spend with the patient to improve the psychological component. Sometimes that’s not accessible to patients or they don’t want to, so I counsel patients on some basic techniques that may help them work through some of the psychological issues as well.
How Rugiet Can Eliminate the Stigma Associated With Persistent ED
ED (erectile dysfunction) isn’t going away. In fact, its prevalence seems to be rising. Defined as an inability to get or keep an erection for adequate sexual performance, ED continues to afflict males of various ages — but especially as they get older, with the much-referenced Massachusetts Male Aging Study reporting about 40% of men affected at age 40.
For many men, the associated stigma can also be debilitating.
A primer published in the journal Nature noted how ED “can have deleterious effects on a man’s quality of life; most patients have symptoms of depression and anxiety related to sexual performance.”
Embarrassment, even a sense of emasculation, can hence occur — but it doesn’t need to.
A new, leading-edge formulation Austin-based startup Rugiet has developed a lozenge that quickly dissolves under the tongue with three ingredients combined within one sublingual solution: sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra, used to increase
blood-flow to the penis), tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis, also used to increase blood-flow), and apomorphine (a dopamine receptor agonist that helps boost pro-erectile signals).
Rugiet’s patented formula was created to enshroud the typical bitterness in such medication so that patients can simply pop it under their tongue and only taste a chocolatey-mint flavor as the lozenge rapidly melts. Since this delivery system avoids the longer process of digestion through the stomach, Rugiet Ready produces a full erection in minutes (instead of hours).
Recent testimonials on the review platform Trustpilot attest to all this, too.
“I tried my Rugiet prescription for the first time last night,” a user named
Jerry wrote. “It worked incredibly well! First of all, the taste is far superior to anything I’ve received from Ro. Rugiet is smaller, softer, and tastier. If this were a gum, I’d chew it. … Rugiet is soft, melts fast, and gives you good breath.”
Importantly, besides the convenience, this super-swift system puts an end to awkward waiting-times.
“I’ve used other ED products that got the job done,” wrote user Greg Hampton. “[But] fast-acting Rugiet allows me to be in the game in 15 minutes! An additional benefit is the confidence of a rock-steady experience. I’m 62 and enjoying sex with my wife like I did when I was 26!”
Written by Rugiet Men
Prostate Cancer Continues to Be a Leading Cause of Death for Men
The American Cancer Society estimates 299,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, with 35,000 dying from the disease. What can one do to minimize their risk of perishing from this treatable form of cancer?
The summer before my senior year of high school was filled with fun moments with friends, long days on playground basketball courts, and hope that my father would live long enough to see me graduate from high school. A diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer tempered his gregarious spirit, limiting his ability to work. He soon died, at the beginning of my senior year.
We have learned a great deal about prostate cancer since then. I became a urologist, hoping to spare other families the grief that comes with losing a loved one to cancer way too soon. Let’s break down some of the stigmas
surrounding prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Diagnosing prostate cancer
Men with prostate cancer often have no obvious signs or symptoms of the disease. Even though you may feel well, it is important to have periodic conversations with your healthcare provider about prostate cancer and whether or not you should get screened for it. You should have a conversation about prostate cancer screening if you are between the ages of 45 and 50. Prostate cancer is diagnosed with a biopsy. Having an elevated PSA level that falls outside of the normal range
does not necessarily mean that one has prostate cancer. There are other things that may cause a rise in one’s PSA level, making biopsy a necessity to make a diagnosis.
Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is not a death sentence. There are several treatment options for prostate cancer depending on the grade and stage of the tumor. Every person diagnosed with prostate cancer is assigned to a risk category (low, intermediate, or high).
Treatment options vary depending on your risk category. Early diagnosis and treatment afford the best chances of conquering this disease.
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Advanced Prostate Cancer Imaging With Illuccix® (Kit for the
Preparation
of Gallium Ga 68 Gozetotide Injection) May Improve Treatment Planning
Prostate cancer affects millions of men in the United States, making early and accurate detection crucial for effective treatment. Advanced imaging technologies, like PSMA PET/CT scans, offer enhanced detection capabilities, enabling personalized treatment plans and improved patient outcomes. PSMA PET/CT scans with Illuccix are now recommended in clinical practice guidelines as the preferred alternative to conventional imaging, such as MRI or bone scans.
According to the American Cancer Society, over 3.1 million men in the United States live with prostate cancer, the second deadliest cancer for men. Delayed and inadequate diagnosis may limit treatment options and increase mortality risk. Ongoing PSA screenings and access to advanced imaging, such as PSMA PET/CT scans, are crucial for early detection and accurate diagnosis.
PSMA, or prostate-specific membrane antigen, is a protein overexpressed by prostate cancer cells. During a PSMA PET/CT scan, a small amount of tracer material coupled with a PSMA-specific molecule attaches to this protein. This tracer is then detected with a PET/CT
scanner to reveal the location of prostate cancer cells wherever they are in the body, including where they have spread.
Illuccix® (kit for the preparation of Ga 68 gozetotide injection) is an advanced PSMA PET/CT imaging tracer developed by Telix Pharmaceuticals. A PET scan with Illuccix may detect tumors more accurately than conventional imaging methods, such as MRI or bone scans, providing greater clarity on the extent of your prostate cancer. This may provide physicians with the information they need to determine a personalized, appropriate treatment plan.
If you are facing a recent prostate cancer diagnosis, you may want to discuss with your physician if a PSMA PET/CT scan is right for you.
Selected important safety information
• There is a risk PET scan images with Illuccix may be misinterpreted or may be affected by other factors.
• Illuccix involves exposure to small amounts of radioactivity; long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with increased cancer risk.
• The most commonly reported adverse reactions to Illuccix include fatigue, nausea, constipation, and vomiting. These adverse reactions each typically occurred in 1.2% of the patients in clinical trials.
• This is not the full important safety information. Full safety information and approved uses are available at illuccix.com/#safety-information
Written by Telix Pharmaceuticals
To learn more about a PSMA PET/CT scan with Illuccix, visit illuccix.com
WRITTEN BY Brian Keith McNeil, M.D., M.B.A., FACS Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs; ViceChair, Department of Urology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
