Santa Cruz County Prostate Cancer Support Group
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Serving all of SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Santa Cruz PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP June 2005 NEWSLETTER Howard Waage (688-0423) -----Editor _____________________________________________________ _________________________________ When: Tuesday evening, June 28th starting at 7:00 p.m. (The June Steering committee meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., before the regular meeting) Where: Our meeting will be downstairs in two-story redwood Education Building behind Santa Cruz Dominican Hospital. We meet in the Bennett & Suzy Katz Cancer Resource Center on the 1st Floor.
Please feel free to contact any of the following steering committee members if you would like to volunteer or if you have any suggestions or questions.
Tony & Beverley Calvo 684-0940 Frank Schmetz 438 4781 Bill McDermott 423-8350 Howard Waage 688-0423 Richard & Tina Koch 761-3577 Julie Batz 724-2701 Lynn Dreeszen 439-8632 Tim Ryan 476-6550 Our website: http://www.scprostate.org Doug Thornton 724-6446 (Webmaster)
….PROSTATE CANCER IN THE NEWS..…
High-Tech Treatment for Prostate Cancer May 29, 2005 - Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Most men who are diagnosed with it live at least 5 years, but the survival rate decreases once the cancer has spread. Now a high-tech treatment may improve those odds.
By the time Thomas Byrns was dianosed with prostate cancer, the disease had already spread throughout his body. Initial treatments failed and the outlook was grim. Thomas Byrns, prostate cancer patient: "The diagnosis was, get your lot over in the cemetery, 'cause you'll be out there shortly."
But then he found out about an experimental treatment being studied at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Patients like Thomas, who have no other options, are receiving a single injection of a new therapy. Here's how it works: Prostate cancer cells have special proteins on their surface. Researchers created monoclonal antibodies targeted to that protein. Then they attached radioactive material to the monoclonal antibodies. When the antibodies are injected into the bloodstream, they attach to the prostate cancer cells and irradiate them. In essence, the treatment delivers radiation therapy directly to cancer cells and only cancer cells. That provides an added benefit to the rest of the body.
Dr. Neil Bander, NY Pres, Weill Cornell Med. Ctr.: "Cells that are not cancer cells don't get radiated." Dr. Matthew Milowsky, NY Pres, Weill Cornell Med. Ctr.: "To patients, it's much like a smart bomb that targets a particular location without risk of damage to surrounding areas."
Thomas enrolled in the study and saw results almost immediately. His PSA level dropped from 48 to under 18.
Dr. Neil Bander: "If you can get a patients' PSA to decline by 50% or greater, that has been translated to improved survival in those patients." This is an experimental therapy and not available to the public, but if doctors continue to see positive results, like they have in Thomas, radioactive antibodies could eventually become a promising treatment. Source: http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=3405778&nav=0RbQaQSb
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Men with Spouses, Partners Fare Better After Prostate Cancer Treatment
"The message for men with prostate cancer is this; it is good to be partnered and have a support system following treatment." Dr. Mark Litwin, UCLA.
May 21, 2005 – Being married or in a relationship significantly improves quality of life for prostate cancer patients following treatment, according to a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center and the Department of Urology.
Partnered men reported better psychosocial and spiritual well-being, suffered fewer adverse effects from treatment and had less fear and anxiety about their cancer coming back than did their single counterparts, the study found. The research appears in the July 1, 2005, issue of the peer-reviewed journal CANCER , but is being published May 23 on the journal's web site.
“The message for men with prostate cancer is this; it is good to be partnered and have a support system following treatment,” said Dr. Mark Litwin, the study's senior author, a professor of urology and public health and a Jonsson Cancer Center researcher. “Now we need to find a way to encourage the use of support groups and support systems in patients who aren't married or in relationships so they can do better, too.”
Assessing quality of life in prostate cancer patients is vital because many patients can live a long time with their disease, said Dr. John Gore, a urologist and the study's first author.
“Quality of life is important because the quantity of life can be extensive for these patients,” Gore said. “We want quality of life to be as good as possible.”
Litwin, Gore and the research team focused on a severely disadvantaged group of prostate cancer patients in the study – low-income and uninsured or underinsured men enrolled in IMPACT, a state-funded public assistance program created at UCLA that provides free prostate cancer care. The study participants - 211 married or partnered men and 80 single men - answered a battery of quality of life questions in three questionnaires sent out every six months for 18 months. The questions assessed mental health, spirituality, stress created by urinary function or dysfunction and adverse affects caused by their treatment.
The partnered men were less depressed and less bothered by emotional problems such as anxiety and fear about disease recurrence. They were less upset about urinary problems and less distressed by the nausea, fatigue and pain that can follow cancer treatment. They also reported a higher spirituality than their single counterparts, Gore said.
Being able to assess and influence quality of life also is important because studies have shown that cancer survival is impacted by a patient's quality of life. Some studies have suggested that improved quality of life might translate into improved survival, although that has not yet been confirmed.
Only about 13 percent of prostate cancer patients attend support group meetings. That leaves a large population of prostate cancer patients that might experience a better quality of life by leaning on their spouses or partners more or, for the single men, by attending support group meetings, Gore said. Doctors treating prostate cancer patients should be aware of a patient's marital or relationship status so they can encourage those who may need help to attend support group meetings, Gore said.
“Clinicians caring for prostate cancer patients need to address coping and social support mechanisms in order to encourage the beneficial aspects of partnership and overcome the detrimental affects of being single,” the study concludes.
A special advantage of this study is the population assessed, Litwin said. The men in the study represent a group usually overlooked in medical research. With an average income of about $18,000 a year, the sample comprised primarily minorities enrolled in the IMPACT public assistance program, which Litwin directs.
Page 2 In addition to battling cancer, the men studied face the day-to-day struggle of making ends meet. However, these results might be mirrored in other prostate cancer patient populations, who – with fewer challenges – might experience an even better quality of life than the study participants if they seek out and take advantage of support systems.
Prostate cancer will strike 232,090 men this year alone, according to the American Cancer Society. Of those, 30,350 are expected to die. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men.
UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is dedicated to promoting cancer research and applying the results to clinical situations. In 2004, the Jonsson Cancer Center was named the best cancer center in the western United States by U.S. News & World Report, a ranking it has held for five consecutive years. Source: http://www.psa-rising.com/med/info/couples05.htm
Exercise Boosts Prostate Health Active men cut risk for advanced cancer by 70 percent, study finds
WEDNESDAY, May 11 (HealthDay News) -- Regular vigorous exercise may slow progression of prostate cancer and reduce the risk of death from the disease, according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health.
"Men 65 years or older engaging in at least three hours of vigorous physical activity weekly had a markedly lower risk (almost 70 percent) of being diagnosed as having high-grade, advanced, or fatal prostate cancer," the study authors conclude in the May 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
The Harvard team analyzed data on nearly 48,000 male participants enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The data included information about the average amount of time per week the participants did the following activities: walking or hiking outdoors; jogging; running; bicycling; lap swimming; tennis; squash or racquetball; and calisthenics or rowing.
Over 14 years of follow-up, there were 2,892 new cases of prostate cancer -- including 482 advanced cases -- diagnosed among the participants. Men 65 and older in the highest category of physical activity had a nearly 70 percent lower risk of advanced and fatal prostate cancer. However, this association was not found in younger men, the study said.
"Although the mechanisms still need to be understood, these findings suggest that vigorous activity could slow the progression of prostate cancer and might be recommended to reduce mortality from prostate cancer, particularly given the many other documented benefits of exercise," the researchers conclude.
SOURCE: JAMA/Archives journals, news release, May 9, 2005 http://prostate-cancer.healthnewsfeed.com/art525624.asp
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP WILL BEGIN A SUB-GROUP FOR MEN WITH ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER.
This group will be for men that have been diagnosed with prostate cancer which has spread outside the prostate or who have experienced a recurrence after primary treatment. Typically, these men are receiving hormone blockade, are participating in a clinical trial or are receiving some other form of advanced treatment.
The sub-Group will meet every three months at the Katz Cancer Resource Center of Dominican Hospital. The sub-group will meet on the SECOND MONDAY OF THE MONTH, beginning on JUNE,13,2005, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Subsequent meetings will be on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AND DECEMBER 12.
The purpose of this group will be to better address the special problems and issues of men with advanced prostate cancer. In addition, at some meetings, we will invite local medical oncologists to discuss their approach and treatments Men with advanced prostate cancer will continue to be welcomed at the regular monthly meetings on the last Tuesday of the month. Tony Calvo has agreed to coordinate the sub-group. If you have any suggestions or questions, contact Tony at 684-0940.
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Announcing "Ask Dr. Barken" a new weekly telephone call in show We're proud to announce a new, free service beginning Tuesday, June 7th, brought to you by the Prostate Cancer Research and Education Foundation (PC-REF) in San Diego, California. (Visit our website at www.pcref.org) *Dial 1-877-PCREF01 (1-877-727-3301) Toll Free * *Every Tuesday evening at 6 pm (Pacific), 9 pm (Eastern)* *Participate in "ASK DR. BARKEN", a weekly telephone call in show by calling the Toll Free number above and then pressing "9" to ask a question*
Ask questions about Prostate Cancer or other men's health issues. Listen to answers from Dr. Barken and other guest experts. Learn from prostate cancer survivors from all over the U.S. The call is free, there is no registration, and you can participate from the comfort of your own home. Mark Tuesday evenings on your calendar all year long. Dial the number above to listen, and dial "9" to ask your own question. All you need is a telephone!
Israel Barken M.D. Medical Director Prostate Cancer Research and Education Foundation
Can You Help: One of our support group members, Tony Coelho and his family are seeking to rent a 3-4 bedroom, peaceful, sunny home in the Santa Cruz area by July 6. You can call him at 831-427-0945 if you have any leads.
Upcoming Event - Relay For Life of Santa Cruz When: July 16-17, 2005 Where: Cabrillo College Track
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® is an overnight team event that raises awareness of cancer, celebrates survivors, remembers those lost to the disease, and raises funds to fight cancer through research, education, advocacy and patient services.
Be part of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life! Together, we’ll honor the courageous spirit of people who have been touched by cancer. If you have additional questions or would like more information, please contact Edy Henderson at santacruzrelay@yahoo.com.
Throughout Relay For Life, teams of friends, families and co-workers from the community commit to keeping at least one member walking the track…because cancer never sleeps.
Relay For Life provides hope that those lost to cancer will not be forgotten, that those who face cancer will get support, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It unites millions of people in thousands of communities nationwide each year to raise money to help prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from the disease. Every dollar you raise makes a difference to people touched by cancer.
Our support group will be having a table at this great event and we’d really appreciate if you can spend a couple of hours helping out. Please call anyone on the steering committee if you can help and we’d love to see you there.
The Santa Cruz County Prostate Cancer Support Group does not endorse any provider, organization, product or individual. All medical decisions should be made with the advice and consultation of medical professionals.
Our newsletter serves over 200 members. Many THANKS to the American Cancer Society for assisting with the printing and mailing of this newsletter and the Katz Cancer Resource Center for allowing us to use their facility.
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