Newscaster: A break that answers your questions about mens health and joining us this morning is Dr. Randy Fagin to talk about a subject all men need to be concerned about - prostate cancer. Good morning Dr. Fagin.
Dr. Fagin: Good morning.
Newscaster: And thank you so much for being with us.
Dr. Fagin: It is a pleasure.
Newscaster: Now more than thirty thousand men who have died of prostate cancer this year alone. Are there any symptoms that they should be aware of?
Dr. Fagin: Unfortunately, prostate cancer is one of those diseases that has no symptoms. It is literally a silent killer which is why screening tests are so important for men.
Newscaster: Now you recommend that men get an annual prostate cancer screening. At what age should it start?
Dr. Fagin: Uhm it differs actually. If you look at men who have no family history, who are white in origin, we recommend starting their PSAs at age 50. If you have an African American background or if you have a family history, you need to start at age 40 because the risk is higher than you need to get at a younger age.
Newscaster: Now there was a recent study that said older men didnt really need to get one. What do you think about that?
Dr. Fagin: Now that is a bit controversial study. I will tell you there are a lot of emails flying around and everyone came to my room on that you know it is interesting I think the intent of the study was to say that if you have a less than 10 year life expectancy, then you really dont need to be screened for prostate cancer because it is unlikely that prostate cancer be the cause of your death. This arbitrary cutoff of seventy five years old, I dont personally believe is appropriate. I think we need to look at somebodys life expectancy as the cutoff.
Newscaster: Now when you are getting your prostate exam, is a rectal exam really a part of the whole thing? Does it have to be established?
Dr. Fagin: It does. I know lots of guys who have opted out of that part of it, but you just cant. There is up to a quarter of our prostate cancers that are diagnosed as a result of a technically normal PSA, but an abnormal rectal exam. And another point that is important to make is, the PSA really has to be annual too because it is not just the absolute number but the change over time that actually creates the worry to get filed.
Newscaster: Now if something is found, what is the next step for a man and it is after the K?
Dr. Fagin: Yeah, if you have ruled out all the 9 cancerous stands, if you are really concerned about the cancer, a biopsy is necessary this time. It is a simple test that is done typically in the office. It takes all about 5 minutes.
Newscaster: Now what can men do to really minimize their risk of prostate cancer?
Dr. Fagin: You know it is interesting. There is a lot of great data out there to support the fact that you are what you eat. There are dietary supplements. There are things that you can do to reduce your risk. Things like selenium, vitamin E. There are studies that show increased broccoli health, pomegranate and the antioxidants containing them - all these things could be protective to ourselves. And really it supports that a healthy diet can help to promote a healthy life.
Newscaster: You are right Dr. Randy Fagin. Thank you very much for being with us.
Dr. Fagin: It is a pleasure. Thank you.
Newscaster: We cant wait to have you back in a couple of weeks.
Dr. Fagin: Absolutely, it is my pleasure.
Newscaster: And we will have Dr. Fagin on every other week, and if you have a question for him or a topic you would like him to discuss, please log onto kvue.com and go about then searching. You can ask your question on his website, and he will answer it in the coming weeks.
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03-01-05 Dr. Fagin on daVinci Robotby urologyteam451 views
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