PROSTATE CANCER
2009 New Screening Guidelines and Recommendations
Men Please Join us: American Cancer Society's Prostate Cancer Support Group Meeting
'Man to Man" - March 18,  2010 - 6:30 PM Community Hospital of Long Beach
Medical Director: Robert Pugach, MD  &  Facilitator: Keith Kohl, RN

Prostate Cancer Do You Know the Facts?

Hardly a week goes by without reading or hearing about someone you know, or some celebrity, learning that he has prostate cancer.  There is a good reason for this. We now diagnose more than a quarter of a million new cases of prostate cancer every year. Fifty thousand (50,000) men die from prostate cancer every year. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of deaths from cancer among US men. These are frightening statistics. 

Patients, friends and family members are not statistics. This common cancer strikes at people we know far too often. Why? One reason is our increasing life expectancy - prostate cancer is a disease of getting older and most men now live long enough to develop it.  Dr. Pugach firmly believes in the value of early detection, using PSA testing and simple physical examination, because early detection is the key to successful treatment.

While we cannot yet prevent prostate cancer, a urological specialist like Dr. Robert G. Pugach, at Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center can certainly diagnose it earlier and with more accuracy than ever before.  Dr. Pugach firmly believes in the value of early detection, using PSA testing and simple physical examination, because early detection is the key to successful treatment.

The good news is that most patients with an early diagnosis of prostate cancer can be cured. At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center, we specialize in treating prostate cancer using advanced, minimally invasive techniques.  Dr. Robert Pugach is one of the first urologists in Los Angeles and Orange County to perform three advanced, minimally invasive procedures: ultrasound guided, radioactive seed implants, freezing (targeted cryoablation) of the prostate and HIFU- High Intensity Focused Ultrasound.

Dr. Pugach is one of only a few urologists in the US certified to perform HIFU – High Intensity Focused Ultrasound.  HIFU can cure prostate cancer with minimal risk of side effects like erectile dysfunction.  In May, 2009 Dr. Pugach was certified to train other urologist in HIFU therapy. He is one of only four urologist in the United States certified to train physicians.

Controversy continues about who should be treated for prostate cancer.  Dr. Pugach cautions that much of this debate involves old patient data and statistics that date back to a time when life expectancy for men was much lower than it is today.  In fact, life expectancy today is almost 80 years; people who are born today are expected to have an average life expectancy of 96 years!  That means that men are living long enough to both develop prostate cancer and suffer its effects.  That also means that cancer screening should start at an early age and most men will need aggressive treatment.

Dr. Pugach and the professional at  Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center would like to reassure you that we are the MOST experienced practice in southern California in the areas of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Cryoablation (Freezing).  Both procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and have a dramatically level of side effects when compared to robotic surgery or radiation.   Call today to schedule your consultation. 

 
NEW SCREENING GUIDELINES - AUGUST 2009!
New guidelines for prostate cancer screening suggest that we should start looking for evidence of prostate cancer at an earlier age.  Presentations at this year’s American Urological Association meeting indicated that patients should start being tested as early as age 40.  This is especially important for men whose fathers (or relatives of their fathers) have a history of prostate cancer – their risk of developing it is at least twice that of the general population.  In addition, normal values for PSA (the blood test that can detect prostate cancer) are being lowered.  We believe that it should be 2.5 for men 65 years or younger and 4.0 for men over that age. 

Why are screening criteria changing?  There’s no question that we are still missing many cases of curable prostate cancer.  Estimates are that as many as 25% of men with prostate cancer may not have it detected early enough.  Once prostate cancer escapes the capsule of the prostate no cure is possible.  It may spread to lymph nodes, the liver and bones.  In addition, local growth can cause blockages of the ureters, the tubes that drain the kidneys into the bladder.

Call for your Consultation
Of course, the key to successful treatment is early diagnosis.  We’re on top of all of the latest guidelines, just as we are with other areas of minimally invasive urology.  If you haven’t had a prostate cancer screening in the last 12 months, call us today to schedule a convenient appointment to see Dr. Pugach.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call us to speak to one of our experienced nurses.  We’re here to help you!  It takes only a few minutes and is very simple.  The results can save your life.  Don't delay: (888) 735-4336.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Listen to Dr. Robert Pugach, Medical Director of Pacific Coast Urology Medical Group, discuss men’s urological problems and treatments. The topics discussed on the audio files include symptoms and treatment options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Prostate Cancer, Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversals. Dr. Robert Pugach discusses advanced minimally invasive treatments including Cryoablation and HIFU for prostate cancer. Click here to listen to the audio discussion.

• Rarely does a week go by when we don’t read about a famous man who o has prostate cancer or we learn about a family member or friend who has prostate cancer. Is it very common?
• Why do men get prostate cancer?
• Who is at risk – can we prevent prostate cancer?
• When does prostate cancer start?
• When should men start being screened for prostate cancer?
• What are the symptoms of prostate cancer and how do men know they might have prostate cancer?
• How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
• Do all prostate cancers need to be treated?
• What are the treatment options available for prostate cancer.
• One treatment option is called cryoablation. What is cryoablation and how is it done?
•  How do the side effects of cryoablation compare with other treatments?
• What are the benefits of cryoablation when compared to surgery or radiation
• Who do you consider good candidates for cryoablation?
• Is there a long period of hospitalization?
• How much pain is there afterwards?
• Who do you consider good candidates for cryoablation?

*HIFU is not yet approved by the FDA. It is available in several countries outside of the United States and Dr. Robert Pugach can treat you at the state-of-the-art hospital in Puerto Vallarta. Be sure to learn about this new treatment thoroughly before making a treatment decision.

To learn more, read: "The cause of prostate cancer."

ARTICLES/GLOSSARY OF TERMS

• Dr. Robert Pugach's article,  "Prostate Cancer: Common, Curable Disease"

• To read a recent article on prostate cancer,  more.
  U.S. News & World Report  "Prostate Cancer's Prognosis- New therapies exist, but men still face a tough call: get treated now, or wait"
  
  HIFU was also mentioned in an article published in U.S. News & World Report in September 2007 that explored new therapies for prostate cancer and the tough choices that men facing the disease have to make. Read the entire article, New therapies exist, but men still face a tough call: get treated now, or wait, By Adam Voiland, Posted 9/9/07 online, more. 

Dr. Robert Pugach was featured in a HIFU International Article, read article.

Resources:   For additional resources, click here.

For additional resources on prostate cancer, Dr. Robert Pugach recommends you visit these websites.
www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/prostate
www.prostatecancerfoundation.org
www.prostate-cancer.org
 

If you have a question about a service or procedure, please email us or call our office at
(888) 735-4336.