|
The Farber Center Monthly Newsletter
|
|
|
Greetings!
Since September is prostate cancer awareness month, this newsletter will focus on prostate cancer.
If you would like to be featured as our patient story please email Tanya. |
|
 |
|
|
PATIENT STORY OF THE MONTH
My name is Terrance. I am 61 years old. During a routine medical examination, a higher than normal PSA level was found. This led to a biopsy resulting in a prostate cancer diagnosis in late December, 2009. The tumor was described as non-aggressive and slow growing.
Thus began a journey of much research and doctor encounters. Given the choice of different methods of treatment, I decided on an approach of active surveillance as I explored my options. My concerns were not only receiving an effective cure but quality of life issues as well, with regard to side effects. While having the tumor monitored at six month intervals by sonogram and MRI, I visited several doctors. I wanted to be certain to choose the right course for me. Unfortunately, I found some consultations to be unpleasant due to various doctors' insensitivity, aggressiveness and impatience with my many questions.
|
|
EVENT DETAILS:
OUR NEXT OHE CLASS for TFC patients only:
TUESDAY October 2nd and TUESDAY October 16th.
............................... |
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
" Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. This moment is a gift. That's why it's called the present." ............................................. |
True or False?
Most men die of prostate cancer
FALSE. Prostate cancer is a relatively slow-growing cancer.
For all stages of the cancer the
average 5-year survival rate is
98% and the 10-year survival
rate is 84%.
Remember - Most
people die with this cancer and not of it.
............................................. |
|
|
|
Eventually, I reluctantly decided on treatment at a well known cancer hospital. In May 2012, I began six months of hormone therapy followed by radiation seed implantation in August; then five weeks of external radiation in September. Because I didn't relish the idea of an invasive procedure, I continued my search and became aware of The Farber Center. I called and was given an immediate appointment.
Because of prior experiences, I arrived with some skepticism. My wife and I were warmly greeted by Sammi, the receptionist. Vivian, the office manager actually came from behind the desk, introduced herself and offered us refreshments from a wide array of coffees, teas, and hot chocolate.
My tension began to ease as I filled out the necessary paper work while sitting in front of a beautiful fish tank and listening to the soft music in the tranquility of the reception area. I was then escorted into an examining room for a brief consult with Dr Jackowitz followed by Dr. Farber.
While speaking with Dr Farber, the anxiety and skepticism of the previous two and a half years since being diagnosed began to dissipate. I discovered what had been missing. It was the quality of the unspoken yet unmistakable language of genuine empathy and compassion.
Dr Farber listened intensely as I related my experiences, feelings and concerns. He was engaging and even had a sense of humor. It was like speaking with a concerned friend. He spent a great deal of time with us answering all of our questions as thoroughly and completely as we needed him to. What was absent was the feeling of being rushed so that he could move on to the next patient.
What I found most impressive was Dr. Farber's level of honesty and his lack of pushiness and aggressiveness. He actually expressed to me that I would receive excellent care at the institution where I had begun treatment. He explained that what he offered was not necessarily better but different. Dr. Farber spoke of his state of the art Elekta Infinity radiation machine; the inclusion of Donna Karan's Urban Zen Integrative Therapy incorporating reiki, meditation, yoga and aroma therapy. Also the Optimal Healing Environment classes during and following radiation therapy. I was surprised to learn that these services were available on an ongoing basis once the radiation treatment was completed. I also thought that being supplied with a private dressing room and personal robe made of bamboo (a terry cloth like material) rather than a paper hospital robe, was a nice touch.
With all my questions answered and my concerns addressed, Dr Farber walked us to the reception area and gave me a business card, should I decide to have treatment there. He then wished me well and get this, embraced me with a hug!!!
I not only liked what I heard but more importantly what I felt in this very thoughtfully designed comfortable and peaceful healing environment. Agreeing to treatment at The Farber Center was an easy choice for me and one that I'm quite happy to have made. I have received many hugs during my treatment.
At this writing, I am nearing the end of forty five days of radiation treatment, I have eight days remaining. I never anticipated that nine weeks of daily treatment Monday to Friday could actually be such an agreeable undertaking. It does not make intellectual sense to me that cancer treatment could be made into a pleasurable experience. The warmth of Sammi and Vivian at the reception desk, the relaxation techniques, taught by Keely of Urban Zen, the professionalism and empathy of Dr. Farber, Dr Jackowitz and Dr Spierer combined with the gentle and compassionate care of the Radiation Therapists, Amy, Kimberly and Vanessa have made it so. It boggles my mind!!!
As I approach the end of treatment, my feeling is bittersweet. I'm glad to be done but will truly miss my daily visits with these extraordinary human beings.
To all at The Farber Center, collectively and individually, I give you my thanks and to return to you what you have given me, I give you my love!!!
|
| |  | |
|
NEWSWORTHY:
A very special offer from our friends at 21 drops just for you!
|
| | | |
|
FROM THE EXPERT: Focus on PSA testing
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. When I first started practice most prostate cancer was only found when we operated for prostate symptoms such as a slow urinary stream or urinary retention. Occasionally, a man would come in with a rock hard prostate on rectal exam or a very high prostatic acid phosphatase and a biopsy would be done. In these cases the cancer was often well advanced and there was little to do to save the patient or cure the cancer.
With the advent of PSA testing everything changed. We are now able to find prostate cancer long before there is a spread and in many cases effect a cure for the cancer. Though there are about 200,000 cases of prostate cancer yearly, there has been much talk about the overuse of PSA testing and biopsying to find prostate cancer in men. Simply put, a rectal exam and a simple blood test will tell a patient if he is at heightened risk for prostate cancer. Additional, overall risk factors can be as general as a father or brother who has prostate cancer, an animal fat rich diet, increased fat consumption or a change in urinary symptoms. Yet, an increased PSA or suspicious rectal make the risk of prostate cancer much more likely and biopsy, which is often done in an office setting is recommended.
Two important facts must be told, statistically the use of PSA and early biopsy reduces the number of prostate cancers found at a late stage. Chances of survival and cure drastically go down if prostate cancer has spread. The good news is that today, with early detection of prostate cancer, through the use of PSA blood testing and biopsy, the patient has several choices for treatment, depending on the stage and spread. In some cases watchful waiting may be an option, and in other cases surgery, hormonal chemotherapy and of course radiation are all options for good treatment.
***Dr. David Sussman is a Board Certified Urologic Surgeon, practicing at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn, since 1978, you can log on to his website at www.sussmanurology.com He has also been nominated for The New York State Assembly District 20, you can log on to that website at www.sussman2012.com
|
|
|
|
|
