Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2017

12 VITALITY Winter 2017 COMMUNITY Keeping an eye on prostate cancer What to know about active surveillance It started with back pain How Robbie Bryant got the care and support he needed to beat prostate cancer Robbie Bryant, his wife, Julie, and their children, Jaron and Jaylee, were honored guests at the CMH Burgundy Ball in September. Every year more than 160,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with prostate cancer. For those whose disease is caught early, that diagnosis may come with a decision: Should the disease be treated right now, or is it safe to monitor it and treat it only if it starts to grow? The latter approach is called active surveillance. It’s based on the fact that prostate cancer often grows slowly. So immediate treatment may not always be necessary. FAITHAND FORTITUDE WATCH BRYANT’S MOVING STORY AT YOUTU.BE/LEGB-MDSW_E . Bolivar resident Robbie Bryant, 40, took the stage at this year’s Citizens Memorial Hospital and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation Burgundy Ball to share his prostate cancer story. The annual fundraiser provides financial support to patients in cancer treatment—support that helped Bryant and his family during his treatment for what he initially thought was a back injury. After he complained about back pain for several months, Bryant’s wife, Julie, urged him to make an appointment with his primary care provider, Louis B. Harris, M.D., with Bolivar Family Care Center. When a CT scan showed an abnormality, Bryant was sent to a specialist. A biopsy revealed that Bryant had stage IV prostate cancer. He was referred to Leo Shunyakov, M.D., oncologist/hematologist with the Central Care Cancer Center, located in the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center in Bolivar. Bryant completed six rounds of chemotherapy and 15 rounds of radiation with radiation oncologist Garry Brown, D.O., also with Central Care Cancer Center. “To have that cancer center in our backyard...it was just truly amazing,” says Julie. So how is he doing now? “The way I feel today—compared to when I first started this journey— I feel amazing,” he says. WHAT’S INVOLVED? Men who choose active surveillance typically see their doctor about every six to 12 months for digital rectal exams, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and prostate biopsies. These tests are used to monitor the cancer, and treatment—such as radiation or surgery—begins only if the cancer changes or starts to grow. One potential benefit of active surveillance is that it can help a man avoid or delay potential side effects of treatment, including sexual difficulties and incontinence. One risk is that the cancer could grow in between tests. Also, the prostate biopsies that are part of this approach can be uncomfortable. WHO MIGHT BE A CANDIDATE? Active surveillance is considered safe. According to experts, men who choose this option usually have a good prognosis. But it isn’t for everyone. Active surveillance is more likely a possibility for men with small, slow- growing tumors. Many of these men are also older. A pathology report can help determine if a man is a candidate for active surveillance based on specific details about his prostate tumor. Doctors also look at other factors, including the cancer’s stage and the man’s personal and family health history. Of course, preference is also part of the choice—some men, for instance, may not feel comfortable delaying treatment. The bottom line: Men who think they may want to try active surveillance for prostate cancer should discuss the pros and cons of the plan with their doctor. Sources: American Society for Clinical Oncology; American Urological Association CANCER CARE