Kansas City, Kan- Key points from today’s guests:

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System; executive vice chancellor, The University of Kansas Medical Center

• The Warrior Trial focuses on weight management to reduce risk and improve outcomes from prostatectomy.
• It was conducted by physicians, dieticians, and scientists right here at The University of Kansas Medical Center.
• The trial is funded by the American Cancer Society and two authors of the study are Dr. Will Parker and Dr. Jill Hamilton-Reeves.
• Obesity is a public health disease and we have to address it as so.

Craig Euritt, prostate cancer survivor

• Craig had a family history of cancer and had his PSA level checked. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer like his father before him.
• His primary care physician referred him to The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
• He was eager to join the Warrior Trial because he wanted to do anything he could to help someone else.
• Craig gave up alcohol in response to his diagnosis and made other health changes.
• He now has no signs of cancer and is thankful he had the support of everyone in the trial.

Dr. Jill Hamilton-Reeves, Ph.D., nutrition researcher, The University of Kansas Medical Center

• When people get a new diagnosis, they can be very motivated to change their health.
• In the trial, we helped people lose weight before surgery. This was driven by app and video communications during COVID.
• A unique feature of this study is that it involves weight maintenance six months after the surgery.
• The peer support group assembled during the study was very effective at moving patients toward better eating choices.
• Making health changes can be challenging, and having someone in your corner to help with those changes can really make a difference, especially if you are overwhelmed with a cancer diagnosis.
• Based on the success of this, we are approved to move forward with a Phase 3 trial.

Dr. Will Parker, urologic oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• People who carry extra weight can make surgery much more complex and there is a higher risk of complications after the surgery that can make recovery more difficult.
• The time between diagnosis and surgery affords time to lose weight before the procedure.
• Even if there are genetic predispositions with weight, there are factors that we can control to affect weight.
• It is important to take control of your own health. Take ownership of the things you can control, and we’ll help with the rest.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• We have 20 COVID patients hospitalized, which is higher than expected.
• There is no data to support the mRNA vaccine integrates into the human genome.
• Multiple studies have shown the vaccines are safe and effective, plus we have real-world data to support this.
• It reduces against symptomatic illness by more than 50 percent soon after the injection. It is also effective against long COVID.
• The first at-home flu vaccine will be available likely next flu season, but a prescription will be required.