Key points from today’s guests:

Paul Hentzen, prostate cancer patient

• When he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, Paul wanted a second opinion on treatment and conducted a national search for the right doctor.
• He found it right here in Kansas City with Dr. Ronald Chen.
• Paul didn’t want surgery and wanted to try a multi-modal approach which included radiation, hormone deprivation and brachytherapy.
• The cancer responded to treatment right away and is almost undetectable in his blood work.
• He says his diagnosis has only made him stronger and he expects to make a full recovery.
• “Aging is inevitable but getting older, voluntary. Get out there, walk, run, work out. It makes life better.”

Dr. Ronald Chen, radiation oncologist; chair, radiation oncology, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• One in eight American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
• We don't really know exactly what causes prostate cancer. What we do know is that as men get older -- above 40, or 50, or 60, there's more diagnosis.
• Only about 10 percent of prostate cancers are thought to be inheritable or genetic passed down from generation to generation.
• The most common way to detect prostate cancer is a blood test that looks for something called PSA.
• Prostate cancer is a silent disease, you can feel healthy, but it can just grow silently. That’s why screening is so important because the more we're able to diagnose closer to the low risk range, the better treatment outcomes can be.
• Looking at the data across the U.S., Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age compared to other racial ethnic groups. And also they're more likely to die from prostate cancer than other groups.
• One way to minimize the disparity is screening -- catching the cancer early is the best way for us to maximize the cure rate. The national guidelines for most men recommend prostate cancer screening should start at about age 50

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, director of infection prevention & control, The University of Kansas Health System

• Active COVID patients in the Health System this week are at 19, which is up from 16 last week.
• We know there is increased circulation of the virus in the community.
• Data published by the CDC shows that this season’s version of the flu shot is highly effective in helping prevent hospitalizations from the flu strains.

Tuesday, September 19 at 8 a.m. CT is the next Morning Medical Update. Mothers and daughters usually like to share things, except when it comes to an unexpected diagnosis. Learn how this duo faced two very different diagnoses, but shared the same dream team when it came to their treatment.

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