This year, about 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the single most common cancer among men in the United States. In fact, about 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Most men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer survive the disease.

Early prostate cancer can cause symptoms such as problems passing urine or the need to urinate more often, especially at night. In advanced prostate cancer, one could experience trouble getting an erection (impotence), pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or weakness or numbness in the legs from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.

The chance of having prostate cancer rises after age 50. Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in men of other races. African-American men are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Having a family member diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age increases a man's risk of developing this disease.

Prostate cancer can be diagnosed early by testing the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man's blood or performing a digital rectal exam (DRE), in which the doctor puts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland. If certain symptoms - high level of PSA blood test and/or DRE - suggest that you might have prostate cancer, the doctor will do a prostate biopsy to find out. Neither the PSA test nor the DRE is 100% accurate. Some prostate cancers grow so slowly that they may never cause problems. Thus, you and your doctor should decide whether you should have tests to screen for prostate cancer.

Staging helps in the decision of which treatment options an individual may be eligible. There are myriad of treatment options available for the treatment of prostate cancer: active surveillance (watchful waiting), surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, etc. These treatments could be used one at a time or in some cases be combined. If the prostate cancer is localized to the gland (stage T1 or T2 cancers), it could be cured with either removal of the entire prostate gland or utilizing radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Hormone therapy which suppression of testosterone (which serves as the fuel for the growth of prostate cancer) is one of the cornerstones for the treatment of advanced, and in some cases of locally advanced, prostate cancer. The hormonal therapies are administered in the form of injections and pills. Several newer forms of hormone therapy may be beneficial even when the standard forms of hormone therapy stop working. In addition, chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been proven to prolong life for men with advanced prostate cancer. Recently Xofigo, a medicine which targets the prostate cancer in the bone and slows down the progression of the disease, has been approved by the FDA for use in advanced cases.

1. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the USA.
2. Older individuals, African-Americans and those with family history are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
3. Screening tests for prostate cancer are not 100% accurate. Thus you and your doctor should decide whether you should have tests to screen for prostate cancer.
4. There are myriad of treatment options available for prostate cancer.
5. Newer forms of hormone therapy are effective (even after the conventional hormone therapy stops working) and are proven to prolong lives.
6. A combination of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy is more effective in advanced stage prostate cancer (than hormonal therapy alone) if started early in the course of treatment.

Talk to your primary care provider about prostate screening. If you need help finding a primary care provider, call 804-359-WELL(9355) or visit www.bonsecours.com.

By Kumar Abhishek, MD 

Bon Secours Cancer Institute Medical Oncology at Memorial Regional

8266 Atlee Road, MOB II, Suite 225
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Phone: 804-764-7220

Source: American Cancer Society

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells form in the ovaries. The ovaries are a pair of organs in the female reproductive system. They are in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows). Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries make eggs and female hormones.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer of the female reproductive system.It is hard to find ovarian cancer early. Early ovarian cancer may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms do appear, ovarian cancer is often advanced. Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include recent, frequent bloating; pain in the belly or pelvis; trouble eating or feeling full quickly; or urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual. These symptoms may be common in women who don't have ovarian cancer.

Preventing Ovarian Cancer

Avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may help prevent cancer. Risk factors include smoking, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise. Increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising may also help prevent some cancers.

The following risk factors may be linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer:

• Family history of ovarian cancer - mother, sister or multiple relatives who have had ovarian cancer
• Inherited risk - inheritance of certain changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes or genes that are linked to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC; Lynch syndrome)
• Hormone replacement therapy - use of estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy after menopause
• Fertility drugs - use of fertility drugs may be linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer
• Talc - use of talc power in the genital region
• Obesity - having too much body fat, especially during the teenage years
• Height - being taller than 5'8"

 The following protective factors may decrease the risk of ovarian cancer:

• Oral contraceptives - use of birth control pills
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding - ovulation stops or occurs less often in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and some experts believe that women who ovulate less often have a decreased risk of ovarian cancer
• Bilateral tubal ligation or hysterectomy - surgery to close both fallopian tubes or surgery to remove the uterus
• Prophylactic oophorectomy - surgery to remove both ovaries when there are no signs of cancer, often when women have inherited risk

If you are in need of a pelvic exam, are experiencing symptoms of ovarian cancer, or want to discuss ways you may lower your risk of cancer, please contact your health care professional. If you need a doctor, Bon Secours Medical Group has specialists in gynecology, gynecologic surgery, and gynecologic oncology to meet all of your ovarian health needs: visit www.bonsecours.com or 804-359-WELL (9355). 

15-Minute Desk Workout

St. Francis Family Medicine Center

Dr. Zackrisson attended The College of William and Mary for her undergraduate degree. She received her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.

Board certification: 

Board certified in family medicine. Fellowship trained in family medicine obstetrics and trained in medical NaProTECHNOLOGY.

What do you enjoy most about being a primary care and obstetrics provider? 

"I have the privilege of practicing medicine across the entire continuum of life as a family physician - from its very earliest stages in utero to birth, childhood, and later, into adulthood. The experience of delivering a baby as a medical student was absolutely transformative for me, and continues to inspire such awe and wonder to this day. What is most gratifying to me is to truly know and learn a patient's "story" over a lifetime, both the triumphs and challenges, and to use that information to help guide my patients toward better health. I am privileged to be present for my patients during some of their most joyful and devastating moments, and I think those moments are so much more relevant when there is a relationship."  

Why did you choose Bon Secours Health System? 

"I think the best care is only possible when the needs of the entire human person are regarded - physical, mental and spiritual. It was important for me to partner with an organization that shares and promotes my vision of providing compassionate care as a ministry by its very nature. What sustains me in my work is my daily goal of incorporating Christ into it."

What do you enjoy outside of your work? 

"I love visiting new places and being a tourist; the destination hardly matters. I will forever be working toward creating a pottery masterpiece, but mostly just enjoy playing with clay and getting my hands dirty. I am a very amateur gardener and enjoy helping out in the St. Francis greenhouse when I am able." 

Wellness Club Card Update

Bon Secours Workforce Wellness has recently added nine new sponsors to our Wellness Club Card and Pharmacy Discount Card. Our sponsors are local businesses focused on fitness, nutrition or general wellness services to help you improve or maintain your health. Check out the exciting discounts and promotions offered by our sponsors at http://wellness.bonsecours.com/services/sponsors.   

If you are interested in making this free benefit available to your employees, please contact Carol Marin-Vargas at carol_marin-vargas@bshsi.org or 804-316-2446.

Directions

Submitted by our sponsor: 

Lakewood Manor Retirement Community, Simms Room

1900 Lauderdale Drive

Richmond, VA 23238

If you couldn't speak for yourself, would your loved ones know your wishes? Join Bon Secours and Lakewood Manor for the first ever Advance Care Planning Expo. You will have the opportunity to learn more about Advance Care Planning and to complete your advance medical directive! Refreshments provided.

To register call 804-833-0976 or email walk@bshsi.org 

Medicare Education Event

Monday, September 15

St Mary's Hospital, Auditorium

5801 Bremo Road

Richmond, VA 23226

Learn the basics of Medicare. Get insights on how delaying retirement impacts your Medicare coverage. Learn the difference between types of Medicare plans. Get tips for saving money on Medicare coverage. Get answers to your questions! Refreshments provided.

Register here or call 1-866-890-2242