Prostate Cancer and You

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.

Thanks to David Einstein, MD, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, for discussing “Into the Unknown: How Do We Study Prostate Cancer Treatments, ” For every exciting new therapy, there is a long road of research along which many other strategies have been abandoned. In this podcast, Dr. Einstein outlines the process of identifying new treatment strategies in the lab, “translating” these into clinical trials, and developing them into standard-of-care treatments. Dr. Einstein will explore this topic in more detail on the May 14 virtual symposium, hosted by MPCC. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Thanks to Christina Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for discussing “Exercise as Medicine for Prostate Cancer Survivorship.” Persons at risk and diagnosed with prostate cancer are a vulnerable population in need of non-pharmacologic interventions to improve health outcomes. Using an “Exercise as Medicine” approach, intervention studies demonstrate that exercise can improve comorbid conditions and prostate cancer treatment-related side effects. Dr. Dieli-Conwright will explore this topic in more detail on the May 14 virtual symposium, hosted by MPCC. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Thanks to Adam Feldman, MD, PH, for discussing “Prostate Cancer Detection: Past, Present and Future.” Dr. Feldman is a urologic oncologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Urology. Director of the Combined Harvard Fellowship Program in Urologic Oncology and Director of Research for the Department of Urology at MGH, he will be presenting on this topic at the May 14 virtual symposium, hosted by MPCC. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Thanks to Dr. Marianne Brandon, clinical psychologist and diplomat in sex therapy, for this interview on  “Sex and Intimacy after Prostate Cancer,” in which she discusses this topic in the broader context of intimacy and sexuality. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Thanks to Dr. Mark Pomerantz, a medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, for today’s interview. In this podcast he discusses “Genetics and Prostate Cancer” – highlighting recent discoveries and changes in the field of genetics and how they apply to prostate cancer specifically. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Thanks to Lorelei Mucci, ScD, MPH, for this interview discussing “The State of Evidence behind Lifestyle and Diet for Prostate Cancer Patients.” Dr. Mucci is the Director of the Cancer Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention Program in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH). This podcast is  based on her presentation at the May 15, 2020 MPCC Virtual Symposium. Click here to learn more about the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts produced by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today’s podcast features Dr. Jairam Eswara from St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston discussing “Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction and Male Stress Urinary Incontinence Post Prostate Cancer.”

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts produced by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.  Today’s podcast features a compilation of interviews held at the 2019 Jack Colbert Memorial Award Reception at the Harvard Club in Boston in September as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Participants include the 2019 recipient, Clare Tempany, MD, the 2017 recipient, Marc Garnick, MD, and the 2011 recipient Richard Babayan, as well as MPCC Board members Allen Snyder, Les Cavicchi and Dalton Skerritt.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts produced by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today’s podcast features a discussion on health value assessments, drug costs, and the potential implications for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Interviewed on this topic are Robert Popovian, Doctor in  Pharmacy and Vice President, US Government Relations at Pfizer Inc, and William Smith, PhD, Visiting Fellow on Life Sciences at the Pioneer Institute of Boston.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts sponsored by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Today’s podcast features interviews with several attendees and presenters at the 2019 Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition Symposium on May 10. First up is Mark Anthony Hunter of The Goddard School and a member of the MPCC board. Mark’s father had prostate cancer and he discusses the impact it had on his Dad, as well as the entire family.

The Goddard School is sponsoring its Second annual Benefit Golf Tournament for Men’s Health on Monday, June 17 at the Ferncroft Country Club. Proceeds will benefit MPCC as well as The Senator Edward W. Brooke Scholarship. To register go to www.ferncroftcc.com/goddardschool.

Jacques Carter, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, talks about current issues with PSA testing after The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its recommendations, which was the topic of his presentation at the Symposium.

Mark Kennedy of the Boston Public Health Commission, discusses a new initiative, PRECISE (precision, care intervention, screening, and empowerment). It is a consensus concept program that is a smarter look at new concepts in PSA testing. Mark co-presented on this topic with Dr. Carter at the Symposium.

Jamie Bearse is president & CEO of Zero, The End of Prostate Cancer. He discusses his organization’s mission to advance research, focusing on the Department of Defense (DOD) funding and research, and encourage action from volunteers and supporters via the Run/Walk series, and the Zero 360 patient navigator program. The 2019 Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk-Boston  is on Sunday, September 9 and starts at Newton City Hall.

Prostate Cancer Support Group leaders Bill Tinney and Gary Halvorsen discuss the important role that support groups and peer-to-peer conversations have on the newly diagnosed, those just starting or involved in ongoing treatment. Go here for a list of support groups in the Commonwealth.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts sponsored by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today’s podcast features an interview with Quoc-Dien Trinh, MD, assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School  and co-director of the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Prostate Cancer Center.  On this podcast he discusses the gap in prostate cancer survival of African American men compared to Caucasian men. His data shows that the biological differences in tumor aggressiveness among African American men may have been exaggerated, and the gap in survival is more likely to be the result of racial inequity and lack of access to quality care.

At the May 10 Prostate Cancer Symposium his session is “Racial Variations in Prostate Cancer Care: Differences or disparities.” Go here for more information and to register.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts sponsored by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today’s podcast features an interview with Glenn Bubley, MD, director of the Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Beth Israel Medical Center  and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the 2009 recipient of the Jack Colbert Memorial Award.

On this podcast he discusses the good news about new treatments for metastatic and non-metastatic prostate cancer. Important clinical trials have been performed that have shown that earlier treatment of metastatic disease with combinations of existing agents have provided a major improvement in overall and cancer specific survival. This includes combinations of hormonal agents like Lupron with Abiraterone or Lupron with the chemotherapeutic agent Docetaxel.

At the May 10 Prostate Cancer Symposium his session is “Newer Therapeutic Strategies for Advanced Prostate Cancer.” Go here for more information and to register.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts sponsored by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today's podcast features an interview Adam Kibel, MD, chief, Division of Urology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Elliott Carr Cutler professor of surgery in urology, Harvard Medical School. On this podcast he discusses the many changes and advances that have been made in the treatment of prostate cancer in the last several years. He is a member of the MPCC Medical Advisory Committee. At the May 10 Prostate Cancer Symposium he will be a panelist on "Treating the Prostate with Radiation or Surgery in Men with a Small Number of Bone Metastases" with Drs. Paul Nguyen and Matthew Robinson, MD Go here for more information and to register.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer & You, a series of podcasts sponsored by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today’s podcast features an interview with Aria Olumi, MD, chief of Urologic Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the endowed Janet & William DeWolf Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, and he serves as the Chair of Research for the American Urological Association. He will be discussing the Changing Landscape of Prostate Cancer Screening.  If you are interested in hearing more about this topic from Dr. Olumi, he will be presenting at the 2019 Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Symposium on Friday, May 10 at the Newton Marriott. Go here for more information and to register.

Today’s podcast features interviews with Mark Hedstrom, global director, program commercialization, for Movember, an organization dedicated to funding research and building awareness on prostate cancer and men’s health, and  MPCC Medical Advisory Committee member Richard Lee, MD, PhD,  medical oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a cutting-edge researcher. As his patients have said, “ Dr. Lee’s humanity is as large as his scientific expertise.”

Welcome to the first in a series of podcasts entitled Prostate Cancer & You, sponsored by the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Today’s podcast features an interview with MPCC board members Jason Efstathiou, MD, DPhil, professor at Harvard Medical School and director, Genitourinary Service, Department of Radiation Oncology massgeneral.org, and clinical co-director, The Claire and John Bertucci Center for Genitourinary Cancers Multidisciplinary Clinic massgeneral.org at Massachusetts General Hospital, Lynn Basilio, senior director, Primary Care Systems at the American Cancer Society cancer.org; and Garth Greimann, senior advisor with Berkshire Partners and secretary-treasurer of MPCC. They will be discussing advances in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment and providing information on the resources available through MPCC.