Posted 7/26/2010 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
The topics planned for presentation at the UsToo Summit Educational Symposium (on Saturday, August 21) closely match the topics of greatest interest posted here at HealingWell/Prostate Cancer.
I informally sampled a number of pages on this site (8 pages; 200 threads). I could either tell the topic by the thread title, or I opened the first posting to gather the subject gist. A fraction over 50% of all threads were…well, let’s just classify them collectively as “all other” topics, but the other half of threads were all directly related to topics which are on the Symposium agenda.
Here’s a horizontal bar chart pareto diagram (presented as a visual aide) of the HealingWell threads which match closely to Symposium topics, with the percentage frequency of occurrence among all threads sampled:
PARETO CHART (horizontal bar):
********************** Erectile Function & Continence (21.5%) **************** Treatment modes (curative; primary or secondary) (16%)
******* Advanced PC / Hormone Therapy (7%)
***** Diet & Supplements (5%)
Topics of interest at HealingWell, and the corresponding topics to be presented at the Symposium (and a brief bio on the presenters):
Erectile Function & Continence – The most frequently posted topic on HW/PC. Dr John Mulhall is Director of the Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Division of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr Mulhall is author of the book “ Saving Your Sex Life: A Guide for Men with Prostate Cancer ” and has more than 100 papers published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr Mulhall will lead a panel discussion at the UsToo Symposium titled: “ Meeting the Challenges of Intimacy and Incontinence .” If you haven’t already watched this free online video (75 minutes) of Dr Mulhall titled “ Sexual Problems in the Male Cancer Patient ”, I highly recommend it: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/94910.cfm
Treatment modes (curative; primary or secondary) – Dr Paul Schellhammer is past president of the American Urological Association and medical director of the Virginia Prostate Center, and has published numerous papers which directly address PC treatment choices, including these titles in which Dr Shellhammer was senior author:
· “Feasibility of using guidelines to choose treatment for prostate cancer”,
· “Development of a scale to assess patient misperceptions about treatment choices for localized prostate cancer”,
· “Patients' survival expectations before localized prostate cancer treatment by treatment status”
Dr Schellhammer, who is also a PC survivor, will present the topic titled: “ The Changing Landscape of Prostate Cancer Treatment .”
In addition, Dr. Michael Dattoll , Founder and Physician in Chief, Dattoll Cancer Center & Brachytherapy Research Institute will present the topic titled: “ Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: It’s Evolutionary, It’s Revolut ionary .”
Advanced PC / Hormone Therapy – Some men wait passively to monitor for PC recurrence, others take action. Dr Charles “Snuffy” Myers is an eminent medical oncologist who specializes in prostate cancer; he is considered by many to be one of only a handful of true experts in hormonal blockage therapy, as well as diet for PC. He is author of the book “ Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy & Die t”, and publishes the “ Prostate Forum ” subscript ion newsletter. Dr Myers established the American Institute for Diseases of the Prostate, focused on comprehensive management of PC. He is also a PC survivor. “ Taking Action Against Recurrence and Advanced Disease with Second Line Hormonal Therapy ” will be Dr Myers’ presentation topic.
Diet & Supplements – Dr Mark Moyad is primary author of over 100 medical articles, author or co-author of seven books, and occupies the endowed position of Director of Preventative & Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center (Dept of Urology). He is also editor-in-chief of the soon to be released medical journal “Seminars in Preventative & Alternative Medicine.” Dr Moyad will present the topic: “ Fad Diets, Dietary Supplements and Rx for Your Health: What Works and What Is Worthless, From A to Z .”
These presenters are among the “big hitters” specializing in prostate cancer care. Among the key lessons we have (hopefully) learned is that (a) our local doctors might be friendly caregivers, but they are not typically experts in everything related to PC and that (b) we must educate and empower ourselves beyond the advice of our local doctors to maximize our PC treatment outcomes.
Hope to see you in Chicago…
-Larry, post again if you & your dad plan to attend.
-Tony, let me know if your schedule works out to attend.
-Hero, I’d probably rather be backpacking with you…