This document discusses prostate cancer screening and treatment. It notes that prostate cancer affects about 1 in 6 males in their lifetime and is highly treatable if detected early. Routine screening through PSA blood tests and biopsies when needed has reduced prostate cancer mortality by 40% since the 1990s. Early detection through screening is key, as early-stage prostate cancer produces no symptoms. Treatment options include prostate removal surgery or radiation therapy. The article encourages all men to be aware of risk factors and screening recommendations.

1. SENIOR LIVINGPAGE 2 chron.com HOUSTON CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 17, 2010 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Routine screening
key to surviving
prostate cancer
Prostate cancer affects
approximately one in six
males at some point in
their lifetimes, accord-
ing to the American Can-
cer Society, but is highly
manageable with early
detection.
An estimated 217,730
new patients will be di-
agnosed this year, as re-
ported in the most recent
statistics by the ACS, with
around 7 percent of those
cases being fatal.
However, routine
screenings and early di-
agnosis are known to sig-
nificantly improve a pa-
tient’s survival rate.
According to professor
of urology and co-leader
of the Prostate Cancer
Program at Baylor Col-
lege of Medicine Dr. Dov
Kadmon, routine screen-
ing recommendations
have reduced the mortal-
ity rate of prostate cancer
patients by about 40 per-
cent, since being intro-
duced in the 1990s.
Screenings are most
commonly performed
through a prostate spe-
cific antigen (PSA) blood
test, which tests for a pro-
tein that is secreted into
the bloodstream by pros-
tate cancer cells. Patients
who are found to have a
high level of these pro-
teins then move into the
next level of screening, a
biopsy.
“A prostate biopsy is
done to rule out or di-
agnose prostate cancer,”
Kadmon said.
“Low levels of PSA in
the bloodstream originate
from normal or enlarged
but benign prostate tis-
sue and are not a cause
for alarm.”
Once diagnosed, pros-
tate cancer is most com-
monly treated by surgical
removal of the prostate.
Radiation therapy is an-
other common treatment
option, though generally
only in older patients or
those who are not consid-
ered good surgical candi-
dates.
According to Kadmon,
prostate cancer that has
metastasized or spread to
other organs has no cura-
tive treatment but can be
managed through hor-
mone therapy and che-
motherapy.
Somesymptomsofmore
advanced prostate cancer
include pelvic discomfort,
bone pain, trouble urinat-
ing and decreased urine
stream. Kadmon stressed
the importance of early
detection, which is key in
catching the disease be-
fore it becomes more dif-
ficult to treat.
“It is important to re-
member that early pros-
tate cancer produces ab-
solutely no symptoms,” he
said.
“The blood PSA level
is the only way to catch
the disease while it is still
in the prostate and ame-
nable to curative treat-
ments.”
Risk factors believed to
increase an individual’s
chances of developing the
disease can be divided
into two groups: prevent-
able and non-prevent-
able.
Preventable factors in-
clude obesity, diet, exer-
cise and infections result-
ing from the contraction
of sexually transmitted
diseases. Non-prevent-
able factors include age,
ethnicity and family his-
tory.
Screenings are rec-
ommended by the ACS
beginning at age 45 for
those who are considered
to be at high risk for de-
veloping prostate cancer,
including African-Ameri-
can males and those with
a first degree relative who
developed the disease be-
fore the age of 55. Those
at average risk are advised
to begin screenings by the
age of 50.
Men in the Houston
area can take advantage
of the University of Texas
M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center Prostate Outreach
Program, which provides
community education and
screenings to the public.
The program is based
out of Settegast Commu-
nity Health Clinic, 9105
N. Wayside Drive, and
screenings are available
every Wednesday from 10
a.m. to noon. Those inter-
ested are advised to call
the clinic in advance at
713-633-2020 to ensure
availability.
By LAYLA AMBER ELIZONDO
Senior Living Correspondent
EARLY TREATMENT: Advanced prostate cancer can be managed with chemothera-
py. Routine screening significantly improves a patient’s survival rate.
Prostate cancer signs and symptoms
• Blood in urine and/or semen
• Difficulty urinating and/or decreased stream of urine
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region
• Leg swelling
• Men should call their doctor if they notice any of the
listed symptoms or feel anything otherwise that is out of
the ordinary. Men above the age of 45 should be aware of
their risk factors and informed about the benefits of regular
screenings.
Information courtesy of www.mayoclinic.com.
Make the holidays meaningful for loved one with dementia
It is hard to go through the
holidays with the same tradi-
tions your family has observed in
the past. Because of Alzheimer’s
disease, your loved one no lon-
ger has an understanding about
what the holiday season means.
Although they may (or may
not) still enjoy spending time
with family members, they re-
ally can’t tell you why Thanksgiv-
ing, Christmas or New Year’s are
special days. So how do you help
someone with dementia enjoy
the holiday spirit?
Sitandenjoytheholidaysights,
visit and have a beverage near a
festive Christmas tree or fireplace
mantel. Drive your loved one to
look at the holiday lights.
Getting a holiday card — or any
kind of personal note — means
a lot to people with Alzheimer’s
disease. Sending and receiving
Christmas cards and holiday let-
ters provide one great way for
your loved one to connect with
the spirit of the holiday season.
Don’t expect the person with
dementia to be able to adapt to
all situations; you may need to
adapt the environment to their
needs.
Arrange to have a room des-
ignated for your loved one. Your
loved one may find multiple con-
versations and background noise
disturbing. To avoid anxiety, the
person may benefit from time in
a room where family members
could take turns visiting.
There is something about mu-
sic that makes the heart sing as
well. Many people with demen-
tia remember those familiar
songs that get everyone into the
holiday spirit. You may even see
your loved one singing along.
Information provided by AutumnGrove
Cottage. To learn about the community
visit www.autumngrovecottage.com.
COURTESY OF
AUTUMNGROVE COTTAGE