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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-09-01, Page 7THE HURON EXPOSITOR, $.pt. 1, 2004-7 Prostate Cancer: What to watch for "Guys need to wake up and smell the roses" when it comes to detecting prostate cancer, says Derek Lawrence, 74. The Ontario man was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer nine years ago and has been on hormone therapy fever since. While the cancer has spread to part of his spine, his most recent tests show no further growth. In Canada, prostate cancer is the number one serious cancer afflicting men. This year, an estimated 20,100 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,200 men will die of the disease. The prostate is a walnut - sized gland located in the male reproductive system just below the bladder. Cancer of the prostate gland occurs when cells grow uncontrollably to form tumours. What are the options when managing prostate cancer More than 20,000 Canadian men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer. Derek Lawrence, 74, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease in 1995. The Ontario resident was stunned. Once he was able to accept the diagnosis, he and his doctor had to decide on a course of treatment. Approaches for managing prostate cancer include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery and radiation are considered equally important therapies for early-stage prostate cancer, while hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are used in late - stage prostate cancer. • Surveillance or "watchful waiting": regular monitoring examinations often suggested to patients in the early stage of the disease. • Radical prostatectomy: surgical removal of the entire prostate and nearby tissues. • Radiation therapy: radiation delivered directly to the affected prostate site. Radiation therapy comes from either an external source (external beam radiation) or an internal source where small radioactive seeds are implanted into the patient's prostate (brachytherapy). • Hormone (androgen deprivation) therapy: a reduction of testosterone, which feeds the prostate and its tumours. Hormone therapy is the principal therapy for advanced prostate cancer. • Chemotherapy: the use of specific anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy relieves the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer possibly by reducing pain and slowing tumour growth. Since the location of the tumour made surgery impossible, Lawrence opted for hormone therapy. While the cancer spread to part of his spine, his most recent tests show no further spread. But since hormone treatment loses its effectiveness over time, Lawrence, who is also a director of the Canadian Prostate Cancer Network, does look ahead to new treatments on the horizon. According to the results of a study recently released, Taxotere (docetaxel) is a chemotherapy drug that has had very positive effects in men with metastatic prostate Risk factors for developing prostate cancer include age over 65 and family history of prostate cancer. Dietary fat has also been linked to risk of developing the cancer. Symptoms of prostate cancer include the following: • A need to urinate frequently, especially at night • Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine • Weak or interrupted flow of urine • Painful or burning urination • Difficulty in having an erection • Painful ejaculation • Blood in urine or semen • Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs Lawrence says men need to he alert to any changes or pain in the groin area. He also recommends a routine digital rectal exam. and blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), or PSA cancer who don't respond to hormone treatment. "1 have a serious condition. even though it's under control," says Lawrence. "It's nice to know that a treatment helpful to me in terms of prolonging my life will be available." The dnig is currently under review by Health Canada for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Taxotere in this patient group earlier this year. - News Canada Seaforth diners enjoy meatloaf meal with a side of musical entertainment Phyllis Durst, of Goderich cooked a wonderful home-made meatloaf meal with corn - on -the -cob and cherry cheese cake for dessert at the Aug. 19 Diners at the Seaforth Arena. Musical entertainment featured a group of four gentlemen from the Goderich Seaforth Diners area by the name of The Good News Four. They sang spiritual/gospel songs of today and yesterday. Everyone enjoyed the food, fellowship and song. There were 83 area seniors in attendance. Winners for the door prize draws were Ross MacDonald, Lloyd Mitchell, Jean Larondo, Margaret Shea, May Butson, Marya Turner and Norman Eggert. Share the Wealth winners were: Elgin Nott. Dorothy Fun and fitness at Queensway Fun and fitness in the sunroom at Queensway Nursing and Retirement Home, Hensall drew a good crowd Monday morning as residents worked through the exercise routine. Rev. Vellenga of the Bethel Reform Church in Exeter led worship Tuesday afternoon with Belva Fuss as volunteer pianist. In the evening the Lakeview Singers presented a wonderful program of gospel music for residents. Resident council president, Ed Galloway was pleased to have the official duty of accepting. a donation to Queensway Nursing Home • resident council from Joyce McBeath of McBeath Funeral Homes on Wednesday. Queensway has an active resident council that has participated in the Hensall Community Yard Sale, held silent auctions and various other fundraisers. In past years resident council was very proud to purchase the beautiful fountain located by the raised flower gardens where many residents and family members like to sit on the benches and visit. John and Geneva Neaman entertained a full house on Tuesday evening when they played their Classic Country music for the August 13irthday Party. Birthday Greetings go to Evelyn McBeath, Janet Chappel, Isobel Oke, Elizabeth Smyth, Betty Etnerick, Gladys Davis, Jean Keller, Eileen Jones, Leona Coulter, Edsel Ducharme and Erla Coleman. Community Seniors, family members and friends joined us for a great evening of music and dancing. Papplc, Mary Rowcliffe, Eleanor Maloney. Audrey Hickock and Shirley Stewart. The 10th. anniversary celebration of the Dining Out program will be held at the Seaforth Arena on Thurs. Sept. 16 at noon. The meal will be roast beef with a music program. testing. Prostate cancer "isn't a death sentence," stresses Lawrence. who is also an executive of the Newmarket (Ontario) Prostate Cancer Support Group. "Men diagnosed today have a far Netter chance with new treatments than 1 did hack in 1995." One promising new treatment is Taxotere (docetaxel), a chemotherapy drug that has had very positive effects in men with metastatic prostate cancer who don't respond to hormone treatment. A recent study found that Taxotere reduced the risk of death in this patient population by 24 per cent. The study results were presented in New Orleans on June 8th at ASCO, the largest cancer conference in the world. - News Canada FREE DELIVERY Prescriptions, Home Health Care & More! KEATI NGS Guardian Pharmacy 67 Main St., Seaforth 527-1990 "Zc ee ‘g‘ecr,tt 4 WU ed ., LBERT STREET DENTURE CLINIC Denture Specialist Dean R. McTaggart D.D. 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