San Jose Prostate Cancer
Support Group
http://members.aol.com/mikea60/pc.htm
555
At the meeting today,
3/12/2008, there was interest expressed in exploring health topics of interest
to our group. The following web page was created with the desire to explore
these other topics. http://members.aol.com/mikea60/lifeextension.htm
You are encouraged to study this new web page and bring you comments to our
next meeting.
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This is a reminder for the
San Jose Prostate Cancer Support Group
monthly meeting.
12:30 PM - Wednesday - July 9, 2008
Camden Lifetime Activities Center
Room #118
3369 Union Ave
San Jose, CA
This is on the west side of
Union, just north of the strip mall.
Click on the address for a
link to a MapQuest map.
Our speaker / topic for this
month:
Roundtable
discussion
New members are encouraged to share their experience with the group.
Prostate Cancer Research
and Education Foundation (PC-REF) produces a monthly LIVE webcast
(second Saturday @ 11 AM Pacific time). You may get more information at
http://www.pcref.org/internet_webcast.php
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July Meeting – Reminder
Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 12:30 PM
Topic:
Roundtable discussion: new members are
encouraged to share
Their experience with
the group.
Meetings:
Second Wednesday of each month, 12:30PM
For info
call: 408 259.3196
No medical
advice given.
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Kkk
PROSTATE
CANCER (PCa) EDUCATION & SUPPORT GROUP
(Proud
Affiliate of “Us TOO” International, Inc.
Since 1990)
---> MONTHLY
BULLETIN <---
PLEASE REMEMBER – THERE IS NO JULY
MEETING!!
*****NEXT MEETING
****
DATE/LOCATION: The NEXT MEETING OF OUR PROSTATE CANCER
EDUCATION & SUPPORT GROUP IS ON
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2008
PLEASE SIGN IN BETWEEN 6:45 AND
7:00 P.M.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING - All our regular 2008 meetings are held in the Cafeteria
Conference Center on the Ground Floor of El Camino Hospital. The
JUNE REVIEW: We met 5 new men who shared their
stories and questions for the group. Hopefully we were of value to them as they
ponder their next steps in their treatment of their cancer. We also welcomed Dr. Leon G. Kaseff as our speaker last month. His talk was well received. The major point he wanted to make was
the importance of getting a “second opinion”. In every case, he encouraged getting
a second opinion should be mandatory!
He also predicted a cure will be found for Prostate Cancer within 10
years. He explained that, since
we have identified the genes that support Prostate Cancer our need is now to
find the way to inhibit their actions.
I hope we can see this result as he predicts! As an involved participant on the Regional
Cancer Foundation, he provided the following contacts to the Foundation:
e-mail at: mail@thesecondopinion.org
phone: 415/775-9956
JULY – NO MEETING: We will resume our monthly meetings on
the regular date and at the regular time in August. We hope to get caught up to date on
where you are in your program of Living With Prostate Cancer then. However, if you can’t wait to
attend the meeting and
want/need to talk to someone who “has been there”,
feel free to contact any of the leadership group listed below. We stand ready to help where we
can. As well, we can help you with
the many references available to us.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This group supporting advanced care
people, will also take the month of July off and reconvene on August 7, 2008,
at 5:30 to 6:45, in room ‘D/E’. The purpose of this group is to
provide each other emotional support, a forum to share experiences, and help to
explore treatment options and develop an action plan. The group is looking for a professional
facilitator. Walt D’Ardenne will be leading this August group meeting.
In August, if you wish, bring something to eat, eat before you come, or buy
food in the cafeteria and bring it with you to join us. Come with an open mind and be
prompt. We will adjourn to the
regular meeting area just before 7:00 p.m.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PLEASE! If your home or
e-mail address has changed, please let Ted Chamberlain know at 408/241-0949 or
at tedjo59@comcast.net. We
don’t want to lose you!
“Significant Others”
are always cordially invited to attend as well.
OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS:
. The
San Jose Prostate Support Group meets
on the second Wednesday of the month at 12:30
P.M. at the
. The
.
Avenidas Senior Center Prostate Support Group
–
Meets the fourth Tuesday, every other month at 5:30
p.m. at the
All support group meetings listed in this
BULLETIN are open to all comers.
UsTOO International – Overview:
Us TOO is our umbrella parent organization. UsTOO has a
wealth of information in all areas of interest to Prostate Cancer
Survivors. UsTOO
publishes a monthly magazine titled “THE HOT SHEET”. We distribute this publication in
our meetings. If you did not get
it, it is available on line (and back issues too). Where are other chapters of UsTOO? Go
on line at the Internet address below for this info as well. Links to every published source of
information on treatments, clinical trials and latest developments can be found
there. UsTOO
produces a weekly update titled “Prostate Cancer NEWS You Can
Use” (it is also available on line). To subscribe, you can sign up on the
Website (link entitled “Prostate Cancer NEWS” – left
menu). But, start by logging in to:
www.ustoo.org. Then, see what a wealth of good help you
can find there. This is
definitely worth your time.
TELL NEWLY
DIAGNOSED MEN TO START THEIR STUDY OF OUR COMMON ENEMY AT www.ustoo.org!
Another great publication is the
magazine CURE - (Cancer
Updates – Research & Education). It is free
to all Cancer Survivors. To subscribe, visit
www.curetoday.com.
For
More Information on anything PCa related:
REMEMBER!
Dick Clark, 408-245-4597; Check in at the door
from
Bob Manniello,
408-732-3522; 6:45
to 7:00 p.m.
Bob Scruggs, 408-746-0904;
on Thursday, 8/07/08
Tom Horsley, 408-879-7519;
or
Phil Steward, 408-741-5956;
5:30
p.m.
(For borrowing loaner materials)
for the advanced support meeting
Dean
Andrus, 408-379-4022 or
Chris
Lianides, 408-370-9106;
Walt D’Ardenne (Advanced Group)
650-961-4875
Or Ted Chamberlain, 408-241-0949, Bulletin Editor and Lead
Facilitator
PLEASE CHECK OUR WEB
SITES FOR OTHER RECENT INFORMATION
http://members.aol.com/MikeA60/pc.htm
And
www.ustoo.org!
AND…AS
WE SAY EVERY TIME – NOT ONE MEMBER OF OUR GROUP IS ALONE. WE CARE for each other and SHARE our
caring. What each one of you
contributes to the meetings is helpful to others in the group. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, but we are concerned
CANCER PATIENTS who want to help increase your understanding of our common
challenge. Join us for these next
informative meetings in August.
P.S. THE MEETINGS ARE ALWAYS HELD ON THE
FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH
(Except for January and July)
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Jjj
Prostate Cancer
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the
abnormal growth of cells in a man's prostate gland. The prostate gland is part
of a man's reproductive system. It is, on average, a little bigger than a
walnut. It is located between the base of the bladder and the beginning of the
penis. It surrounds the upper part of the urethra. (The urethra carries urine
from the bladder out through the penis.) The prostate makes the fluid that
nourishes and carries sperm.
Prostate cancer has
become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the
How does it occur?
The cause of prostate
cancer is not known. Studies have found or suggested the following risk factors
for prostate cancer:
- Age: Age is the main risk factor for prostate
cancer. Prostate cancer is rarely seen in men younger than 45. The chance
of getting it goes up as a man gets older. Most men diagnosed with
prostate cancer are older than 65.
- Heredity: A man's risk is higher if his
father or brother had prostate cancer.
- Race: Prostate cancer is more common in
African-American men than in white men, including Hispanic men. It is less
common in Asian and American Indian men.
- Diet: Studies suggest that men who eat a diet
high in animal fat or meat may have an increased risk for prostate cancer.
Men who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may have a lower risk.
What are the symptoms?
Prostate cancer often
has no symptoms, especially in the early stages. Symptoms that may occur are:
- weak flow of urine
- urine flow that starts and then stops too
soon
- trouble starting or stopping the flow of
urine
- frequent and urgent need to urinate,
especially at night
- not being able to urinate
- blood in the urine or semen
- pain or burning during urination
- trouble having an erection, or pain when
semen comes out of the penis (ejaculation)
- frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper
thighs (usually because of a spread of the cancer beyond the prostate
gland).
More often these
symptoms are due to BPH (benign prostatic
hypertrophy), an infection, or another health problem. BPH is a growth of the
prostate that is not caused by cancer. BPH normally occurs as men get older. If
you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should see your healthcare
provider so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
How is it diagnosed?
Because prostate
cancer often causes no symptoms, it may be found as part of a routine rectal
exam or during an exam for some other problem.
A blood test called
the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test may be done to check for prostate
cancer. However, like many cancer screening tools, it is not perfect and can
give misleading results. If the PSA is normal, there may still be cancer in the
prostate. If it is a bit high, it may not be from cancer, but the abnormal
result may cause anxiety, expense, and unnecessary medical procedures. For this
reason, healthcare providers do not agree about when or if PSA tests should be
done.
If you have a symptom
or a test that suggests cancer, other tests that may be done are:
- Transrectal ultrasound to look at the prostate.
A probe is inserted into the rectum. The probe bounces sound waves off the
prostate to create a picture of the prostate on a video screen.
- Cystoscopy. The healthcare provider uses a
thin, lighted tube to look into the penis, urethra, and bladder.
- Transrectal biopsy. The healthcare provider
inserts a needle through the rectum into the prostate. A piece of the
prostate tissue is removed to look for cancer cells. It is the only sure
way to diagnose prostate cancer.
If a biopsy shows
cancer cells, you will have other tests, such as a bone scan, CT scan, or MRI
to see if the cancer has spread and help decide how to treat it.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on
how large the tumor is, whether it has spread to other parts of your body, your
symptoms, your overall health, and your age. Some of the treatments, and their
side effects, are:
- Surgery to remove the prostate
(prostatectomy). For a short while after surgery you may have some problems, such as
discomfort and some loss of control of the flow of urine (incontinence).
Most men are able to control their bladder again after a few weeks.
Surgery may also cause erectile dysfunction (trouble having or keeping an
erection, also called impotence). Nerve-sparing surgery may help so that
this problem does not last. But in some cases, men become permanently impotent.
Also, when your prostate is removed, you will no longer produce semen. You
will have dry orgasms. If you wish to father children, you may consider
sperm banking or a sperm retrieval procedure before surgery.
- Radiation therapy. This treatment uses high-energy rays
to kill cancer cells. It may also lead to long-term problems such as
diarrhea, erectile dysfunction, and poor control of the flow of urine. The
radiation may be given externally (radiation beamed at your body from a
machine). This may cause the urethra, rectum, and anus to become inflamed.
Or the radiation may be given internally, which means the radiation comes
from radioactive seeds placed in the prostate gland. This may cause
erectile dysfunction and loss of bladder control.
- Hormone therapy. Surgery to remove both
testicles or drugs may be used to keep prostate cancer cells from
getting the male hormone (testosterone) that they need to grow. The
testicles produce the most of the testosterone in your body. Drug
treatment can include medicines that keep the testicles from making
testosterone, block the action of male hormones on the prostate cancer
cells, or prevent the adrenal gland from making testosterone. Side effects
of treatment depend on the treatment used. They may include erectile dysfunction,
hot flashes, loss of sexual desire, weaker bones, breast tenderness or
slight enlargement, nausea, or diarrhea.
Watchful waiting,
which means not having treatment, may be chosen if:
- The risks and possible side effects of
treatment outweigh the possible benefits.
- You are an older adult.
- You have other serious health problems.
- You are diagnosed with early-stage prostate
cancer that seems to be growing slowly.
- You have no symptoms.
How long will the
effects last?
Most prostate cancer
grows very slowly. Prostate cancer is often found when the cancer is at an
early stage and can be treated successfully.
How can I take care of
myself?
- Follow the full course of treatment
prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Recognize that having the cancer is an added
stress in your life. Take more time for your important relationships and
for rest.
- Be candid with your family and your
healthcare providers about your concerns.
- Ask your healthcare provider any questions
you have about the course of the disease, treatments, side effects of the
treatments, support groups, and anything else that concerns you.
- Find a counselor to help you deal with
difficult issues.
- Spend time with people and activities you
enjoy.
For more information,
contact:
- American Cancer Society, Inc.
Phone: 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Web site: http://www.cancer.org
Phone: 800-525-3777
Web site: http://www.amc.org- National Cancer Institute
Phone: 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
Web sites: http://cis.nci.nih.gov and http://www.cancer.gov
How can I prevent
prostate cancer?
Because the cause of
prostate cancer is not known, healthcare providers do not know how to prevent
it. However, researchers are actively studying possible methods of prevention,
such as diet, supplements, and drugs.
Developed by
McKesson Corporation
Published by McKesson Corporation.
Last modified: 2006-12-07
Last reviewed: 2006-02-27
Senior Health Advisor 2007.2 Index
Senior Health Advisor 2007.2 Credits
Copyright
© 2007 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights
Reserved.
This
is a reminder for the
San Jose Prostate Cancer Support Group
monthly meeting.
PROSTATE CANCER (PCa) EDUCATION
& SUPPORT GROUP (Proud
Affiliate of “Us TOO” International, Inc. Since 1990)