Santa Cruz County Prostate Cancer Support Group
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January 2007 NEWSLETTER Howard Waage (688-0423) ----Editor ****************************** Where: Our meeting will be in the Bennett & Suzy Katz Cancer Resource Center on the 1st Floor of the two-story redwood Education Building behind Santa Cruz Dominican Hospital.
When: Tuesday, January 30th, 2007 7:00 PM For more information: Please call-The Bennett and Suzy Katz Cancer Resource Center at Dominican Hospital (831) 462-7770
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 Julie Batz 724-2701 Lynn Dreeszen 439-8632 Tim Ryan 476-6550 Our website: http://www.scprostate.org Doug Thornton 724-6446 (Webmaster) LATE NEWS FLASH! A few weeks ago, Tony Calvo, long time steering committee member and past chairperson was diagnosed with a spinal metastasis that was pressing against his spinal cord. His doctors at UCSF Medical Center advised him to have surgery to replace one vertebra, and last Thursday, January 18th he went in for the operation. We are happy to report that the surgery went as planned, and that Tony is doing well. He has already been sitting up and even has taken a few steps. No date has yet been set for his discharge from the hospital, but according to latest reports it will probably be in the coming week. We wish the best for Tony and Beverly in this stressful time. SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN WITH ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER The Advanced support group is for men diagnosed with prostate cancer which has spread outside the prostate or who have experienced a recurrence after primary treatment. Our purpose is to address the special problems and issues of men with advanced prostate cancer. This group meets every TWO months on the second Monday of the month, at the Katz Cancer Resource Center at Dominican Hospital. If you have any questions, please contact Tony Calvo at 684-0940. Refreshments provided. 2007 MEETING DATES: MONDAY, 5 – 7PM February 12th SUPPORT GROUP FOR WIVES & PARTNERS OF MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER This group is for women to share information with each other, learn more about prostate cancer, and how to cope with the impact of the disease individually and within the family in a supportive, caring and confidential environment. This group meets every TWO months on the second Monday of the month. (same time as the men’s Advanced Prostate Cancer Meeting). For more info or questions, contact Julie Batz at 724-2701. 2006 MEETING DATES: MONDAY, 5 – 7PM February 12th. Katz Resource Center Rm. E (upstairs) - Refreshments provided.
A Heads Up for our February Meeting !!!! We will be honored to have Dr. Larry Lachman, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist speak to our support group. Dr. Lachman himself is a cancer survivor having been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 at the young age of 39. He is a therapist who specializes in working with cancer patients and their families and his specialty is "psycho-social oncology," This is the field of study that focuses on how a diagnosis of cancer impacts a patient and his/her family emotionally and socially. It also examines how emotions and behaviors affect the course of cancer and its treatment. ….PROSTATE CANCER IN THE NEWS..… Weight Loss Is Linked To Reduced Prostate Cancer Risk December 21, 2006 - A new American Cancer Society study of nearly 70,000 men finds men who lose weight may reduce their risk of prostate cancer. The study, the first to examine the impact of adult weight change on prostate cancer risk, also finds obesity selectively increases the risk of more aggressive prostate cancer, while decreasing either the occurrence or the likelihood of diagnosis of less-aggressive tumors. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer other than skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men. About one out of six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, and one in 34 will die of the disease. While age, ethnicity/race, family history, and diet have all been identified with a higher risk of prostate cancer, studies on body mass index (BMI) have thus far been inconsistent in showing a link to increased risk. In their new study, Carmen Rodriguez, MD, MPH, and colleagues from the American Cancer Society and the Duke Prostate Center used data from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort to examine the association between adult BMI and prostate cancer incidence by stage and grade at diagnosis, as well as the association between weight change and prostate cancer incidence. The study is the first to use prospectively recorded weight change to assess the risk of prostate cancer. Men reported their weight in 1982 then again ten years later in 1992. They were followed for ten years, until June 2003, during which time more than 5,000 cases of prostate cancer occurred among the group. After adjusting for variables such as age, ethnicity, smoking, diet, PSA screening, and other factors, researchers found BMI in 1992 was not associated with the overall risk of prostate cancer in the next ten years. But when they stratified the results by tumor grade, they found the risk of nonmetastatic low-grade prostate cancer (i.e. less aggressive cancer) decreased significantly with increasing BMI. In contrast, the risk of nonmetastatic high-grade prostate cancer (i.e. aggressive cancer) increased modestly with increasing BMI, and the risk of metastatic or fatal cancer increased steadily with increasing BMI. They also found a link to weight change. Men who lost at least eleven pounds in the ten year period between 1982 and 1992 had just over half the risk of being diagnosed with nonmetastatic aggressive high-grade prostate cancer (RR, 0.58). Both weight gain and weight loss seemed to predict lower risk of nonmetastatic low-grade prostate cancer. No significant associations were seen between weight gain or weight loss and risk of metastatic or fatal prostate cancer. "Obesity is one of the most prevalent modifiable cancer risk factors,” said Dr. Rodriguez. "Previous studies have linked maintaining a healthy weight and weight loss to a decreasing risk of breast cancer. Our study linking obesity to aggressive prostate cancer adds to increasing evidence of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight through adult life. Although our study suggests that weight loss may lower the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, given the difficulty of losing weight, emphasis should be put on the importance of avoiding weight gain to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.” Article can be viewed at: http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/rapidpdf/1055-9965.EPI-06-0754v1.pdf First Published Online First on December 19, 2006
Men with Localized Prostate Cancer Benefit from Definitive Treatment NEW YORK DEC 15, 2006 (Reuters Health) - Survival rates with localized prostate cancer are better with either brachytherapy or surgery compared with no definitive treatment, even among older men, investigators at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City report. Using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database of 60,269 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer between 1998 and 2002, Dr. Jonathan D. Tward and associates assessed prostate cancer-specific mortality and any-cause mortality rates after a median of 46 months. Outcomes of brachytherapy, prostatectomy or no definitive treatment were assessed for men less than 60 years of age at diagnosis and those aged 60 years and older. Prostate cancer-specific mortality rates at 10 years for the younger age group were 1.3% with surgery, 0.5% with brachytherapy and 3.7% with no definitive therapy. For older men, corresponding mortality rates were 3.8% with surgery, 5.3% with brachytherapy and 8.4% with no definitive therapy. For men in both age groups, those undergoing surgery or brachytherapy "demonstrated a significantly lower prostate cancer-specific mortality or any-cause mortality compared with men undergoing no definitive therapy (p < 0.002)," Dr. Tward and colleagues write in the November 15th issue of Cancer. "This study is the first to demonstrate an apparent overall survival advantage for brachytherapy compared with no definitive treatment, and validates prior reports that document a survival advantage for surgery," they add. Nonetheless, only a small number of men with localized prostate cancer will die of the disease within ten years, the investigators note, and both surgery and brachytherapy are invasive procedures with possible lifetime side-effects. "Factors other than survival, such as risks, side effect profiles, and quality of life weigh heavily on men deciding to undergo treatment for this disease, which is unlikely to claim their life," the authors comment. For those who opt for definitive treatment, "both younger and older men should be counseled that either surgery or brachytherapy is appropriate." Source: http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=10403
Get Treatment for Cancer-Related Depression Depression is not just sadness or feeling blue. It is a combination of symptoms that often includes a change in weight and appetite, in sleep and energy, in thinking and ability to concentrate, in your desire to participate in social activities, in your overall mood, and in your interest in both people and your surroundings. These symptoms are often accompanied by feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness that can escalate into thoughts of taking your life. If you are experiencing pervasive feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness, or if you are thinking about taking your life, seek help immediately. There are many approaches to dealing with depression, including medications and the help of mental health professionals. Some degree of depression is common in people who are coping with cancer, and some cancers are more frequently associated with depression, like those that arise in the pancreas and lung. About 25 percent of all people with cancer experience clinical depression, causing distress, impaired functioning, and decreased ability to follow a treatment schedule. Not surprisingly, depression is seen more often in people with advanced stages of cancer, and in those who have more disability from their cancer and/or poor pain control. It is not uncommon for people with advanced cancer to experience hopelessness or a sense of helplessness when they first learn that their cancer has recurred or that the treatment has failed, whether or not there are alternative treatments available for the cancer. A period of shock, disbelief, or denial is very common, often followed by a period of depression. With time, most people with cancer and their families are able to come to terms with what at first seems impossible to accept. For many, understanding what to expect and gaining more knowledge about the cancer and its progression make it easier to move forward. If the initial sense of hopelessness or helplessness persists and is accompanied by feelings of despair, guilt, and worthlessness, the possibility of significant depression should be considered. It is important that you speak with your doctor, healthcare team, or your family and friends about these feelings. Depression can make all of your symptoms worse. Another reason it is important to talk to your healthcare team about depression is that some of the drugs used to treat cancer may make your depression worse. For example, steroids (dexamethasone, prednisone, etc.) may make depression more severe, and some biologic therapies, like interleukin-2 and interferon, can cause depression. Both counseling and medications can make a very big difference in how you feel and improve other symptoms at the same time. There are many medications available to treat depression, some of which begin to have an effect within two to four weeks. In addition to counseling and medications, here are some other strategies to consider: • Talk about feelings and fears that you may be having– do not keep them inside. • Remember that it is OK to feel sad and frustrated. • Try deep breathing and relaxation exercises several times a day. • Don’t blame yourself for feelings of fear, anxiety, or depression. • Engage in enjoyable activities. Depression in the setting of advanced cancer is best treated by a combination of medication, supportive therapies (such as relaxation and distraction), and counseling. Your prognosis, and therefore the time available for treatment of your depression, is an important consideration when choosing the best treatment. If you have months of treatment ahead of you, you have time to wait the two to four weeks sometimes needed to see the benefit from the majority of antidepressants. If the time is very short, stimulants (which act more quickly) may be of greater benefit to you. Many people assume that depression is inevitable if you have cancer. This is not true. Treatment for depression has proven benefits for anyone living with cancer. From Coping Magazine - http://www.copingmag.com
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Usually Does Not Mean Shorter Lifespan Good news for men diagnosed with prostate cancer from the Journal of Clinical Oncology: The vast majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer today will live as long as their counterparts who do not have prostate cancer. This is the conclusion from an analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, a huge national database of cancer statistics. The researchers examined five- and 10-year survival data for 183,484 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1990 and 2000. They found that the overall five-year survival rate for prostate cancer patients was 99%; 10-year survival was 95%. Compared with men in the general population, those with prostate cancer had an excess mortality of only 1% at five years and 5% at 10 years. The researchers noted that two-thirds of the men were diagnosed with well-differentiated or moderately differentiated localized/regional cancers. Among these men, there was no increased mortality compared to men in the general population. Prostate cancer experts continue to debate whether widespread prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is responsible for lower mortality rates. However, most men diagnosed in the PSA era do not experience excess mortality. This finding should be comforting for men who are living with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Source: http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com (Posted in Prostate Disorders on December 14, 2006)
Alcohol consumption and risk of prostate cancer in middle-aged men 1: Int J Cancer. 2005 Jan 1;113(1):133-40. * Schoonen WM,* Salinas CA, * Kiemeney LA, * Stanford JL. Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA. Alcohol consumption is a modifiable lifestyle factor that may affect prostate cancer risk. Alcohol alters the hormonal milieu and contains chemical substances such as flavonoids (red wine), which may alter tumor cell growth. Data from a population-based case-control study in King County, WA, were utilized to evaluate the association of alcohol consumption with prostate cancer in middle-aged men. A total of 753 newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases, 40-64 years of age, participated in the study. Seven hundred three control subjects, frequency matched to cases by age, were selected through random digit dialing. All participants completed an in-person interview on lifetime alcohol consumption and other risk factors for prostate cancer. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and assess significance (95% confidence intervals [CI]). All tests of statistical significance were two-sided. No clear association with prostate cancer risk was seen for overall alcohol consumption. Each additional glass of red wine consumed per week showed a statistically significant 6% decrease in relative risk (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.90-0.98), and there was evidence for a decline in risk estimates across increasing categories of red wine intake (trend p = 0.02). No clear associations were seen for consumption of beer or liquor. Our present study suggests that consumption of beer or liquor is not associated with prostate cancer. There may be, however, a reduced relative risk associated with increasing level of red wine consumption. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential negative association between red wine intake and prostate cancer risk. PMID: 15386436 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ****************************** Fair Use Notice: This newsletter may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational use constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law). If you wish to use any copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. +++++ 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 260 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 for our meetings and library materials.
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