Prostate Cancer and You

Today’s podcast in the “Prostate Cancer and You” series features Dr. Preston Sprenkle, Associate Professor of Urology at Yale University, and Robert Palmer, a marketing executive and prostate cancer survivor. In this conversation with host Jordan Rich, Bob Palmer discusses his experience of incision-free ablation intervention as a cancer treatment. Here is a link to more details about Bob’s choice of ablation therapy using the TULSA Procedure: https://www.houstoniamag.com/sponsored/2024/04/pro-gives-men-with-prostate-disease-a-new-lease-on-life Thanks to Bob Palmer for sharing his story on this podcast, sponsored in part by Profound Medical. Learn more about Profound Medical and TULSA-PRO at https://profoundmedical.com/new-tulsa/.

Today’s podcast in the “Prostate Cancer and You” series features Dr. Fay Shtern, the president of AdMeTech Foundation. In this conversation, Dr. Shtern and host Jordan Rich discuss the AdMeTech Foundation’s Prostate Cancer Equity Program and how men in and out of Massachusetts can participate. For more information on AdMeTech Foundation and its Prostate Cancer Equity program, visit www.admetech.org.

Join us for a special edition of “Prostate Cancer and You,” a podcast in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 2024. In this episode, we dive into one man's personal journey, from active surveillance to cutting-edge PSMA PET technology, to shape his treatment plan. Since its establishment in 1999 and official recognition as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in 2003, this annual observance serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight against prostate cancer and the importance of staying informed. This podcast is brought to you in part by Blue Earth Diagnostics. For more information on POSLUMA, including the Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information, visit www.posluma.com/patient.

Today’s podcast in the “Prostate Cancer and You” series, brought to you in part by Blue Earth Diagnostics, features Dr. David Yang, attending physician in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Dr. Todd Cohen, Blue Earth Diagnostics vice-president of medical affairs. This conversation further explores the topics presented in the MPCC symposium session “AI Approaches for Research and Treatment.”

Today’s podcast in the “Prostate Cancer and You” series, brought to you in part by Blue Earth Diagnostics, features filmmaker Landi Maduro, the producer of The Silent Killer: Prostate Cancer in the African American Community. Continuing the conversation from her podcast appearance last year, Landi and interviewer Jordan Rich discuss the story behind making the documentary, its continued relevance, and the power of film to communicate with audiences who might otherwise avoid discussing sensitive topics.

The latest MPCC podcast features John Colbert, Creative Director of Colbert Studios and son of MPCC founder Jack Colbert. John joined the MPCC board in November, and he is bringing his expertise to the organization as plans are underway for a new look, rebranding, and refined mission for the new year. In this conversation, he discusses the goals of the rebranding, including presenting MPCC as a “prostate cancer translator” and amplifying awareness of both the disease and available resources.

Listen to the latest MPCC podcast, brought to you in part by Blue Earth Diagnostics, as Mark Franklin, prostate cancer survivor, Alain Chaglassian, MD, MPH, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Adam Kibel, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and MPCC Medical Advisory Committee, discuss the history of imaging and provide more information on PMSA imaging for prostate cancer.

The third podcast in this series features Londi Maduro, a film maker in California. Her film The Silent Killer: Prostate Cancer in the African American Community explores the myths, fears, and concerns about the disease. It follows several men who are all battling prostate cancer, focusing on how they’re dealing with their diagnoses, what treatment they decided to pursue, and how the disease has affected their lives.

The second podcast in “Disparities, Awareness, and Access to Health Care in the African America community“ features Mark Kennedy from the Boston Public Health Commission and Dr. Jacques Carter from Beth Israel Lahey and a member of the MPCC Medical Advisory Committee as they discuss how government institutions and health care organizations can work together with patients, families and organizations like MPCC to create more favorable outcomes in prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and longevity.

The first in a three-part series on “Disparities, Awareness, and Access to Health Care in the African American Community” features Archie Emmanuel Jr, Lamont Scott, and Brother Al from MOCHA (Men of Color Health Awareness) located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Listen to their own personal stories on the importance of prostate cancer awareness as well as the learning more about the services that MOCHA and its collaborators provide.

Thanks to Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, for joining the MPCC podcast series, Prostate Cancer & You. In this interview. She provides an outstanding overview of ACS and the latest thinking and activities that she and her colleagues are undertaking with regard to prostate cancer.

In this sixth episode, Michael A. DiSpezio discusses Kegels (aka pelvic floor exercises) and their role in regaining urinary continence. Then, he takes a deeper dive into shared decision making, and why it is essential for all patients to be an active part of this critical process. Michael discusses the advantages of focal therapy (not appropriate for all) as he describes several ablation treatments including ultra-cold temperatures and a relatively new therapeutic option known as HIFU. Michael presents the difficulty in predicting disease progression and response to treatment. He concludes the series referencing the statistics that not only illustrate prostate cancer’s high survival rates, but also highlights the advantage to uncovering the cancer before it has spread to distant sites.

In this fifth episode, Michael A. DiSpezio discusses the quality of life and how it changed following radical prostatectomy. Michael explains the basic difference between external beam radiation and the implantation of radioactive seeds, what radiation does, and addresses the side effects associated with this type of treatment. He introduces hormone therapy and how it is sometimes used alongside of radiation treatment as a therapy for returning cancer. Michael concludes this podcast by profiling the importance of support groups and options available.

In this fourth episode, Michael A. DiSpezio addresses the first PSA test following surgery and what that means as far as the tumor’s spread. He then presents the basics of cancer in terms of cells and DNA. Then, Michael discusses the likelihood of a man getting prostate cancer and how this disease disproportionately impacts African American men. In addition, he explains why prostate illnesses are also a concern for transwomen. Next, he addresses the DRE, short for digital rectal exam. Finally, Michael concludes this segment with a critical explanation of Gleason patterns, Gleason score and the Gleason grade groups.

In this third episode, Michael addresses the concept of quality of life and how one’s choice of treatment impacts the future. He profiles his own challenges with post-operative side effects including urinary incontinence, bowel issues, erectile dysfunction and the emotional turmoil associated with treatments. He addresses the surgical pathology report and how the results are interpreted in terms of cancer’s spread and if indicated, further treatment. He concludes this segment addressing challenges in depression and his return to a normal life.

In this second episode, Michael presents the basics of decision making as it pertains to critical choices he faced, including selecting the type of prostate biopsy. He explains what is communicated in a biopsy pathology report. In addition, Michael introduces us to a radical prostatectomy using a robotic-assisted procedure, along with the reported advantages of high-volume surgeons. He concludes this segment addressing bone scans, and their use in uncovering the spread of prostate cancer.

In this first episode, Michael introduces us to his personal journey with prostate cancer. It begins with addressing PSA and the role of this tumor marker in risk assessment for prostate cancer. He discusses active surveillance as a treatment option, family history, symptoms (and in his case, a lack of symptoms), and the need to expand one’s health care team to include a urologist. He concludes this segment with introducing the MRI fusion-guided biopsy.

Mark the 2022 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with Dr. Michael Lutz, president of the MIU Men’s Health Foundation, and prostate cancer survivor and former Navy pilot, Craig Reiner, as they discuss the current state of diagnosis and treatment as well as the many changes that have taken place in understanding this disease since Prostate Cancer Awareness month was first established in 1999 and designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in 2003. Go here for “Flying High.” This podcast is brought to you in part by BlueEarth Diagnostics. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Thanks to MPCC board members Allen Snyder and Analesa Baraka who join MPCC Medical Advisory Committee member Dr. Quoc -Dien Trinh in discussing “Shared Decision Making: Then and Now.” This podcast includes an interview with MPCC chairman Allen Snyder who shares his story on being diagnosed with prostate cancer nearly 25 years ago,. He is followed by Dr. Trinh of Brigham and Women’s Prostate Cancer Program who discusses how the Prostate Cancer Workgroup, part of the MDPH Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Network, has contributed to the progress and evolution of shared decision making. The podcast concludes with Analesa Baraka, NP, describing the important role of the nurse practitioner in coordinating the decision making of process of men diagnosed with this disease. Thanks also to Blue Earth Diagnostics for its support of this podcast. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Join Dr. Adam Kibel, Clare Tempany, J. Jacques Carter, Richard Babayan, and Glenn Bubley as they reflect on the advances in prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and research since the Jack Colbert Memorial Award was established by MPCC in 2008. The Colbert Award is presented periodically, at the discretion of the MPCC board of directors, to a distinguished individual in the medical community who has significantly advanced the fight to conquer and cure prostate cancer. Dr. Kibel, the 2021 recipient of this award, was recognized at a November reception at the Harvard Club in Boston. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.