Join NCFCCC members from your office or home for a live “lunch and learn” online presentation. Featuring Julia Marshall, MD, Faculty and Clinical Assistant Professor in Radiology at the Breast Center UF Academic Health Center. CEUs for participation.
12 to 1 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Register today! Contact Lindsey Redding at 352-313-6500 x 105 or lredding@wellflorida.org
A blog for local healthcare professionals and stakeholders. Share information about grants, partnering opportunities, available resources, workshops and more.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Press Release: Prostate Cancer Screening and Treatement Options
Men at higher risk for prostate cancer should be well informed about screening and treatment options
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (February 29, 2012)—Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. The presence of risk factors in men should guide screening and treatment options, according to Dr. Johannes Vieweg, MD, of the University of Florida Department of Urology and Prostate Disease Center.
As guest speaker at The North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (NCFCCC) 2012 Kickoff, Vieweg presented current screening recommendations and advocated for a risk-based treatment approach for patients diagnosed with the disease. The NCFCCC 2012 Kickoff took place on Feb. 29, 2012 at the Haven Hospice E.T. York Care Center in Gainesville.
Risk factors for prostate cancer are age, race/ethnicity and family history of the disease. Up to 63% of all prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men over 65 years old. Men have a higher chance of getting the disease if they are 50 years old or older, are African American, or have a father, brother or son who has prostate cancer. Other risk factors include diet and level of physical activity.
Two tests are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer—the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood, a substance made by the prostate and which may be higher in men who have prostate cancer. A DRE is when a doctor or nurse checks the size and shape of the prostate. Follow-up tests typically include biopsies.
“Although PSA and DRE-based testing is not always able to detect or diagnose prostate cancer, at this point, both tests still remain the accepted gold standard for determining the risk of harboring prostate cancer in an individual”, said Vieweg. “The TRUS-guided needle biopsy is the most reliable method to diagnose prostate cancer and aid in risk assessment and therapy.”
Screening for prostate cancer is controversial because of the cost, uncertain long-term benefits to the patient and potential risks. Risks include false positive test results (the test says you have cancer when you do not), treating prostate cancer that may never affect your health, and side effects from prostate cancer treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The potential benefit of screening is that prostate cancer will be found early, when treatment may be more effective.
“Due to PSA testing, approximately 90% of all prostate cancers are currently diagnosed at an early stage, and, consequently, men are surviving longer after diagnosis,” said Dr. Vieweg.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, men at high risk of developing prostate cancer should start being screened in their 40s while regular screenings should start at age 50. The American Urological Association recommends the PSA test be offered to well-informed men aged 40 years or older who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years.
“The presence of risk factors, age, patient preference and pathologic features of the biopsy should guide treatment recommendations,” said Vieweg.
NCFCCC is a community-based collaboration administered by WellFlorida Council. The purpose of NCFCCC is to improve access to cancer care and reduce the burden of cancer in North Central Florida. For more information, please visit www.ncfcancercontrol.org or call Lindsey Redding at 352-313-6500 ext.105.
# # #
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (February 29, 2012)—Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. The presence of risk factors in men should guide screening and treatment options, according to Dr. Johannes Vieweg, MD, of the University of Florida Department of Urology and Prostate Disease Center.
As guest speaker at The North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (NCFCCC) 2012 Kickoff, Vieweg presented current screening recommendations and advocated for a risk-based treatment approach for patients diagnosed with the disease. The NCFCCC 2012 Kickoff took place on Feb. 29, 2012 at the Haven Hospice E.T. York Care Center in Gainesville.
Risk factors for prostate cancer are age, race/ethnicity and family history of the disease. Up to 63% of all prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men over 65 years old. Men have a higher chance of getting the disease if they are 50 years old or older, are African American, or have a father, brother or son who has prostate cancer. Other risk factors include diet and level of physical activity.
Two tests are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer—the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood, a substance made by the prostate and which may be higher in men who have prostate cancer. A DRE is when a doctor or nurse checks the size and shape of the prostate. Follow-up tests typically include biopsies.
“Although PSA and DRE-based testing is not always able to detect or diagnose prostate cancer, at this point, both tests still remain the accepted gold standard for determining the risk of harboring prostate cancer in an individual”, said Vieweg. “The TRUS-guided needle biopsy is the most reliable method to diagnose prostate cancer and aid in risk assessment and therapy.”
Screening for prostate cancer is controversial because of the cost, uncertain long-term benefits to the patient and potential risks. Risks include false positive test results (the test says you have cancer when you do not), treating prostate cancer that may never affect your health, and side effects from prostate cancer treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The potential benefit of screening is that prostate cancer will be found early, when treatment may be more effective.
“Due to PSA testing, approximately 90% of all prostate cancers are currently diagnosed at an early stage, and, consequently, men are surviving longer after diagnosis,” said Dr. Vieweg.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, men at high risk of developing prostate cancer should start being screened in their 40s while regular screenings should start at age 50. The American Urological Association recommends the PSA test be offered to well-informed men aged 40 years or older who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years.
“The presence of risk factors, age, patient preference and pathologic features of the biopsy should guide treatment recommendations,” said Vieweg.
NCFCCC is a community-based collaboration administered by WellFlorida Council. The purpose of NCFCCC is to improve access to cancer care and reduce the burden of cancer in North Central Florida. For more information, please visit www.ncfcancercontrol.org or call Lindsey Redding at 352-313-6500 ext.105.
# # #
Monday, February 27, 2012
Earn CEUs at NCFCCC's 2012 Kickoff with Special Guest Speaker
Join us for North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative's 2012 Kickoff. The event will be held on Thursday, February 29 from 10:00 am to noon at Haven Hospice. Haven Hospice is located at 4200 NW 90th Blvd. in Gainesville, Florida. CEUs available for participation.
A presentation by Dr. Johannes Vieweg, Chairman, Department of Urology, University of Florida on Prostate Cancer: Current Screening Policy Debates and Recommendations will be the main agenda item for the event. More details will soon follow.
Please plan to attend and bring a friend. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Lindsey at WellFlorida: (352) 313-6500 ext. 105 or 1-877-678-9355 (toll-free).
A presentation by Dr. Johannes Vieweg, Chairman, Department of Urology, University of Florida on Prostate Cancer: Current Screening Policy Debates and Recommendations will be the main agenda item for the event. More details will soon follow.
Please plan to attend and bring a friend. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Lindsey at WellFlorida: (352) 313-6500 ext. 105 or 1-877-678-9355 (toll-free).
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Cancer Connections Feb. Meeting
Please join us for Cancer Connections on Wednesday, February 22nd, at Hope Lodge at noon.
Dr. William Slayton, U.F. pediatric oncologist, will be discussing childhood leukemias.
Please RSVP to Barb Thomas at bnbbarb@aol.com
For those who RSVP by Monday the 20th, we will provide a healthful lunch (a $3 donation OR a healthful dish to share). If you can't RSVP in advance but find that you are able to join us, you are more than welcome to bring your lunch with you.
Dr. William Slayton, U.F. pediatric oncologist, will be discussing childhood leukemias.
Please RSVP to Barb Thomas at bnbbarb@aol.com
For those who RSVP by Monday the 20th, we will provide a healthful lunch (a $3 donation OR a healthful dish to share). If you can't RSVP in advance but find that you are able to join us, you are more than welcome to bring your lunch with you.
Monday, February 6, 2012
NCFCCC Kickoff - Prostate Cancer Update
Save the date for North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative's 2012 kickoff. The event will be held on Thursday, February 29 beginning at 10:00 am at Haven Hospice. Haven Hospice is located at 4200 NW 90th Blvd. in Gainesville, Florida.
A presentation by Dr. Johannes Vieweg, Chairman, Department of Urology, University of Florida on Prostate Cancer: Current Screening Policy Debates and Recommendations will be the main agenda item for the event. More details will soon follow.
Please plan to attend and bring a friend. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Lindsey at WellFlorida: (352) 313-6500 ext. 105 or 1-877-678-9355 (toll-free).
A presentation by Dr. Johannes Vieweg, Chairman, Department of Urology, University of Florida on Prostate Cancer: Current Screening Policy Debates and Recommendations will be the main agenda item for the event. More details will soon follow.
Please plan to attend and bring a friend. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Lindsey at WellFlorida: (352) 313-6500 ext. 105 or 1-877-678-9355 (toll-free).
Complementary/Alternative Cancer Therapies Conference
Annie Appleseed Project's 5th Evidence-Based Complementary/Alternative Cancer Therapies Conference
Registration deadline: Feb. 20
Date of event: March 1
Location: Embassy Suites, West Palm Beach
CEUS and CNEs available for many professions
Learn more at: http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/5thevcocath.html
Registration deadline: Feb. 20
Date of event: March 1
Location: Embassy Suites, West Palm Beach
CEUS and CNEs available for many professions
Learn more at: http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/5thevcocath.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)