The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 15 COVID patients today, 14 Monday. Other significant numbers:
• 6 with the active virus today, 5 Monday
• 0 in ICU, 0 Monday
• 0 on a ventilator, 0 Monday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- An estimated one in eight men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
- It is not one single disease and there is not one single treatment.
- As a prostate cancer survivor, he understands why it is important to keep your trust in faith and medicine.
- Dr. Stites is thankful for the entire medical team’s efforts for taking care of him and helping him recover from prostate cancer.
Dr. Ronald Chen, chief of radiation oncology, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- We just don’t know why prostate cancer is so common.
- Inheritable genetic forms of prostate cancer account for only about 10 percent of all prostate cancer.
- The American Cancer Society recommends men at average risk get their prostate cancer screening at age 50.
- There is a range of prostate cancers – some that don’t need treatment and some that are very aggressive. Treatment is designed for each patient and each case.
- Getting a second opinion is really important.
- Proton therapy works for other cancers besides prostate cancer. It is able to cut down on the dose of radiation for unaffected areas of the body to concentrate the dose on where it needs to go.
Dr. Will Parker, urologic oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Screening is important. Most screening involves PSA blood tests.
- We approach prostate cancer treatment as a shared decision-making process with patients.
- We need to evaluate the complete spectrum of options for prostate cancer treatment.
- Part of treatment is post-surgery sexual health recovery for some men.
- Dr. Parker will be throwing out the first pitch at the Kansas City Royals game as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Night at the stadium.
Sarah Grigery, RN, proton therapy nurse navigator, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- As a nurse navigator, our biggest goal is to decrease the time from diagnosis to treatment for patients.
- We will help them navigate the plan for treatment.
- Nurse navigators serve as one contact person for them to guide their care.
- We have a dedicated financial advisor for proton therapy insurance coverage.
Kathey Antwine, RN, prostate cancer nurse navigator, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- We talk with patients about their treatment and answer questions about their next steps.
- Patients are more comfortable when they know what to expect and can get their questions answered.
- We can also help them with getting second opinions.
- Working with patients to get them well is the highlight of the job.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, infection prevention & control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Hoping to stay in the single digits for active COVID infections for the next several weeks.
- Long COVID syndrome continues to be a challenge as it affects people’s quality of life.
- It affects different people in different ways.
- The government is looking at how to define it and how to manage and treat it.
Friday, June 16 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. As Father’s Day approaches, we’ll discuss the importance of the annual wellness check for men.
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