Michelle Valles: Encouraging news tonight for men battling prostate cancer.
Robert Hadlock: Austin is a now a leader in the treatment of the disease, which has no symptoms. Only at 10:00 KXAN Julie Shields introduces you to a new laparoscopic procedure helping men beat the disease and regaining contort of their lives.
Don Nash: This is the RF-4C Phantom Jet reconnaissance version. There were 4 times during my flying years in the military that I was in situations where I thought I was going to die. And I take that parallel to the prostate cancer. That worse case is you are going to die.
Julie Shields: These days retired Colonel Don Nash is in for the battle of his life.
Don Nash: I'm a fairly macho guy. I mean, I'm a retired military. But, uh, it, you begin to sense that you are immortal. Over the last year I've had some urinary control frequency going to the bathroom and there was some concern there.
Julie Shields: But due to a hectic schedule, the 66 year-old put off 2 annual exams designed to catch prostate cancer in its early stages. It eventually caught up with him. He was diagnosed in July.
Dr. Randy Fagin: Hi Mr. Nash.
Don Nash: Dr. Fagin.
Dr. Randy Fagin: Nice to see you again. How are you doing?
Julie Shields: Colonel Nash is one of the first patients in central Texas to turn to Dr. Randy Fagin and laparoscopic prostate surgery, a procedure available in Austin and Houston.
Dr. Randy Fagin: Instead of one larger cut in the abdomen, we make 5 small cuts about the width of my fingernail and through that, we inflate the abdomen with gas.
Julie Shields: With the help of a small camera and surgical devices, doctors are able to remove cancerous prostates. Both in open surgery, or traditional surgery, and laparoscopic surgery do risk damage to the nerves that affect bladder control and potency. Doctors say the new trend in treating prostate cancer will be via a laparoscope.
Dr. Randy Fagin: It affords marvelous, marvelous benefits to patients. Specifically, the surgery has less blood loss, quicker return to regular activity, quicker discharge from the hospital, less pain, less need for pain medications. All compared to the open counterpart.
Julie Shields: Now 3 weeks after surgery Colonel Nash is feeling better, but knows bladder control and potency will take time. That's why he's focusing on getting back his active lifestyle.
This is my passion. Racquetball. I've been playing for 42 years. And the doctor said that in another week's time, which will be the fourth week, that I'll be able to go back to playing racquetball.
Julie Shields: But he also has another mission. Making sure men get the message about prostate cancer.
Don Nash: Put the macho-ism aside and go have yourself checked.
Julie Shields: Julie Shields KXAN News 36.
Robert Hadlock: On September 25, Dr. Fagin will host a presentation about prostate cancer and laparoscopic prostate surgery. That's at the North Austin Medical Center at 7:00 p.m. By the way, Governor Rick Perry and Austin Mayor Will Wynn have declared September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
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09-04-05 Dr. Chopp Interviewby urologyteam184 views
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