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Prostate CancerCOPING WITH CANCERFast FactsBy Dr. Martha Terris, UrologistMCGHealth Medical CenterAugusta, Ga. – Being proactive about prostate healthmight just save your life – especially if cancer is detected early.Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commoncancer in American men. According to the American CancerSociety, about 32,000 men will die of prostate cancer this year.That’s why urologists at MCGHealth continue to recommendthat men over 50 undergo two painless tests — a physicalexam and a blood test — to check for signs of prostate cancer.African-American men and those with a family history of prostatecancer are recommended to begin prostate cancer checks at age 45.In most cases, prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer.A physical exam, consisting of a digital rectal exam, and a bloodtest to learn the level of prostate specific antigen, or PSA, enablephysicians to find signs of prostate cancer early. The digital rectalexam looks for firmness or lumps and bumps on the gland’s surface,while the PSA test checks if levels are normal.Annual prostate checks are particularly important becauseprostate cancer in its early stages often has no symptoms.By the time symptoms occur, the cancer has often spread andmay be untreatable.Those at particular risk for prostate cancer are:• African-American men.• Older men. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age.• Those whose diet is high in animal fat.• Those with a family history. If a man’sfather or an older sibling has hadprostate cancer, he is at increased risk.Several years ago, a study at theMedical College of Georgia determined thatobesity makes prostate cancer harder to detect.A healthy weight is important in fightingcancer, heart disease and many other illnessestoo. Men should also avoid tobaccoproducts and get plenty of exercise to lowertheir risk for prostate cancer.Thanks to advances in treatmenttechniques, a cure is possible for a largepercentage of men diagnosed with thedisease. Treatments include:All men should become aware of the risk factors andtake steps, including having annual checkups, to help decreasetheir risk of developing prostate cancer. If you are unsure aboutwhen you should be checked or have other questions about prostatehealth, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. Knowledgeand proactive testing could save your life.MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation operatingthe MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s MedicalCenter, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient facilitiesand services throughout the state. For more information, please visitmcghealth.orgDr. Martha K. Terris is chief of the Section of Urology at the Charlie NorwoodVA Medical Center and Professor of Urology at the Medical Collegeof Georgia. She repeatedly has been named one of “America’s Top Doctors”in urology and one of “America’s Top Cancer Doctors” in the national patientreference guides published by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. The books,which identify the top 1 percent of physicians in the nation, help patientsfind renowned specialists in any given medical field. Dr. Terris’ researchinterests include prostate biopsy techniques, prostate cancer risk factors,bladder cancer risk factors, nutritional therapies for prostate cancer, andnew imaging techniques for urologic cancers.• Prostate removal, through traditionalsurgery or robotic prostatectomy(minimally invasive surgery)• Radiation therapy, including implantationof radioactive seeds in the prostate (brachytherapy) that help spare normal tissue• Chemotherapy• Investigational therapies such as cryotherapy• Hormone therapy26 • CSRA MD Journalwww.csramdjournal.com
Dedicated Breast Imager Recommendedfor Cancer DetectionBy Dr. Suzanne ThigpenAugusta, Ga. – It’s a part of life after age 40 for most women– or at least it should be. Most women know they should begingetting mammograms at this milestone – earlier if they havea family history – but most don’t know what to look for whendeciding where to get them, experts say.“An imaging center with a dedicated breast imagingphysician – someone who only reads images of the breast – ispreferable,” says Dr. Suzanne Thigpen, a breast imager with MC-GHealth.The reason, she says, is the age-old wisdom of experience– “The more you do it, the better you get at it,” she says.Women may also want to look for a center that can offera continuum care, Dr. Thigpen says. At the MCGHealth BreastHealth Center, patients can have a mammogram, ultrasound,biopsy and can be consulting with a surgeon and oncologist, ifnecessary, within a week’s time.“We have pathologists right here, surgeons are righthere,” she says. “We do our best to make this a one-stop shopexperience for patients. Cancer is bad enough. We don’t need thisexperience to add to that stress.”Patients also have the benefit of a multidisciplinary approachand access to the latest and greatest research and clinicaltrials“Every Monday, there is a meeting at the MCGHealthCancer Center to discuss new cases,” she says. “Around thattable are radiologists, medical oncologists, plastic and generalsurgeons, pathologists and radiation oncologists. Those peoplework together to figure out the best treatment plan for patients.People here are researching breast cancer every day and there arenew trials being offered here that people can’t get at other facilities.”Once women have chosen a facility, there’s still morewomen should know to make sure they’re getting the best carepossible, Dr. Thigpen adds.For those who aren’t getting their first mammogram, it’simportant to make sure your breast imaging physician has thefilms from past tests. Having those films makes it easier to comparespots to make sure they haven’t changed – often an indicatorof the disease.It’s also important to get a mammogram every year, shesays. “We do good job of reminding women to get mammogramswhen they turn 40, but we don’t remind them to do it every year,”she says. “While most get one when they turn 40, about 75 percentdon’t get them yearly.”That’s particularly important when you consider thatthe doubling rate for cancer is between one-and-a-half monthsand five years.“Breast cancer doesn’t often hurt and sometimes thereis no tell-tale lump,” Dr. Thigpen says. “Imagine if you do havecancer and you wait two or three years between mammograms.The amount of cancer in your body could have doubled or tripledin that time.”MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation operatingthe MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s MedicalCenter, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient facilitiesand services throughout the state. For more information, pleasevisit mcghealth.org.MCGHealth Breast HealthFACT SHEETThe MCGHealth Breast Health Center offers:• Quick access to skilled surgeons who will exam you and recommendthe next steps in the diagnostic and treatment processes• Screening and diagnostic tests including mammography, 3Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIs), which offer a higherresolution image, and Ultrasound• MRI-guided biopsy of the breast, when lesions can’t be detectedon mammograms or ultrasound• Stereotactic or ultrasound-guided biopsy, when needed.These tests are performed in the mammography suite insteadof the hospital operating room and can usually be done thesame day of the mammogram.• A Certified Breast Health Navigator who will coordinate yourcare, education and support• Genetic counseling and testing for breast and ovarian cancerSecond opinions• Coordinated, multidisciplinary breast cancer careTo schedule an appointment for a screening mammogram, call 706-721-CARE (2273). If you detect a change in your breast or wish tospeak to our Breast Health Navigator, call 706-721-4109.November / December CSRA MD Journal • 27
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