Return to Quest Articles of High Interest
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Article 1 of 109
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Attacking Prostate Cancer: A Team Effort All Around
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By Cissy Lacks
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Don and Nancy Keprta wanted to be interviewed together.
“The two of us have been a team for 35 years and the experience with prostate cancer made the bond even stronger,” Don Keprta said.
After a false start in the initial diagnosis and treatme...
/quest/Winter2010/article2.html
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Article 2 of 109
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Important New Study Shows PSA Test Cuts Prostate Cancer Death Rate by Half
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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In the journey to discover the best diagnostic and treatment methods modern medicine can provide, researchers conduct long-term studies on existing screening practices.
The outcomes can clarify practices but also they can confuse and sometimes eve...
/quest/Fall2010/article1.html
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Article 3 of 109
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A Woman’s Perspective:
Getting Information, Influencing Decisions, and Taking Away Pressure
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By Cissy Lacks
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Many QUEST readers have asked us to include women's experiences during their partners' diagnoses and treatment for prostate cancer. This issue, we start that topic and will continue to print stories in future issues.
Deb Kolden couldn't believe wh...
/quest/Fall2010/article2.html
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Article 4 of 109
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American Cancer Society Got It Wrong: They Need to Apologize
Study Confirms Prostate Cancer Test Saves Lives
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The following is a statement released this summer by Project Zero, the Project to End Prostate Cancer.
With a new study showing the PSA test reduces the prostate cancer death rate by 44 percent, ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer – demands...
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Article 5 of 109
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Jim Boeheim
Coaching His Way Through Prostate Cancer
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By Cissy Lacks
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Jim Boeheim’s attitude toward statistics tells a lot about how he treated his diagnosis of prostate cancer when he was 56.
He readily knows how many wins he’s been part of as basketball coach at Syracuse University – 829.
Ask him about losses, ...
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Article 6 of 109
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Buyer Beware: More Hype Than Substance in Laparoscopic and Robotic Techniques; Open Prostatectomy is Best
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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In the Winter 2009 issue of QUEST, Dr. Catalona wrote an in-depth perspective on robotic prostatectomy, referring to it as possibly akin to “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” He continues to be asked his opinion for editorials to accompany journal articles...
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Article 7 of 109
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My Concerns about Provenge Vaccine
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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This year, Provenge (sipuleucel-T), a form of immunotherapy using some of a patient’s own white blood cells, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic prostate cancer that is no longer responding to...
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Article 8 of 109
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My Concerns about Cabazitaxel
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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Cabaztaxel is a new chemotherapy for prostate cancer recently approved by the FDA.
A recent multicenter phase 3 clinical trial showed that cabazitaxel (Jevtana® Injection, Sanofi-Aventis) prolongs survival among patients with castrationresistant p...
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Article 9 of 109
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Study Shows Support For NCCN Revised Guidelines For Prostate Cancer
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In 2010, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) published revised guidelines for prostate cancer screening.
Two of the recommendations are:
to perform annual screening for men in ther 40’s with a baseline PSA level greater than 1 and...
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Article 10 of 109
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Reducing Blood Loss in Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy (RRP)
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Most often, we report on Dr. Catalona and his collaborators’ research in diagnosis and early detection of prostate cancer (CaP), in treatment outcomes, and in genetic findings related to risk markers for CaP. But consistently, Dr. Catalona is develop...
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Article 11 of 109
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Prior Antibiotic Use And Its Possible Effect on Prostate Biopsy
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Hospitalization for fever or infection should be infrequent in prostate biopsies.
In our *study (Catalona), 5 of 448 men (1.1%) were hospitalized for fever following a prostate biopsy.
Although the number is small, we’d like to know if we could...
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Article 12 of 109
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PSA Screening Is Saving Thousands of Lives
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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Before PSA screening for early detection of prostate cancer, more than two thirds of men treated for the disease had incurable cancer that had spread beyond the prostate at the time of diagnosis and treatment.
Confronting A Problem
It was dishear...
/quest/Spring2010/article1.html
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Article 13 of 109
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If Only We Knew Ahead of Time:
The Role of Genetics in Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer
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By Cecilia Lacks, PhD based upon reported research: Brian T. Helfand, MD; Matthias Hofer, MD; Donghui Kan; & William J. Catalona, MD
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Two major problems in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer are not knowing: 1. who is at risk for the disease and 2. who is at risk for aggressive forms of the disease.
Answers to both of these questions would do a great deal to make tes...
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Article 14 of 109
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PSA Cancer Screening, Much Like A Seat Belt, Is A Wise Choice For Men
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By Patrick Walsh, MD (© and reprint permission of US News And World Report)
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Prostate cancer, the most common cancer in U.S. men and the second-most common cause of cancer deaths, often produces no symptoms until it is too far advanced to cure. That’s why in 1990, before there was PSA testing, only 68 percent of newly diagnos...
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Article 15 of 109
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Ignorance is Bliss When it Comes to Prostate Cancer
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By Rick Lyke
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The American Cancer Society is telling men to pull up their pants, roll down their sleeves and not to worry about that prostate cancer thing.
Citing difficulties in determining who should be treated when cancer is found, the American Cancer Societ...
/quest/Spring2010/article4.html
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Article 16 of 109
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Diagnosed at 1.1
PSA Rising: The Speed Could Be Everything
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By Cissy Lacks
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At age 51, Dave Mayber considered himself lucky to be diagnosed with prostate cancer – and not a different cancer.
“As scary as being diagnosed with cancer is, prostate cancer has a pretty good cure rate, and I had been plenty scared before,” Mayb...
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Article 17 of 109
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2010 Research Studies
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Dr. Catalona wishes to keep his patients and research participants updated on the findings of his prostate cancer research group by providing brief lay summaries in QUEST.
These summaries are from studies prepared by Dr. Catalona and his research ...
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Article 18 of 109
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“Watchful Waiting” Is Really “Wishful Waiting” for Many Patients
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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One option now offered to men who are diagnosed with seemingly less aggressive prostate cancer is active surveillance or “watchful waiting.”
The idea is that some patients won't need treatment; their cancer will not progress and they can avoid sur...
/quest/Winter2009/article1.html
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Article 19 of 109
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Robotic Prostatectomy: The Emperor's New Clothes?
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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I believe treatment of prostate cancer by removal of the prostate with robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery could set back by years some of the gains that have been achieved in the successful treatment of prostate cancer.
The surgical technique, al...
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Article 20 of 109
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Dr. Catalona's Position On The Life-Saving Benefits of PSA Screening
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The subject of prostate cancer screening continues to draw media attention.
Dr. Catalona believes the coverage is confusing men who are making decisions about PSA screening and early detection for prostate cancer.
His concern is that men, whose...
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Article 21 of 109
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Explaining PSA Testing
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By Stacy Loeb, MD and William J. Catalona, MD (Medical Economics)
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Unlike many other malignancies, symptoms are uncommon early in the course of prostate cancer.
Instead, symptoms such as bone pain or obstructive or irritating urinary symptoms typically do not occur until the disease is advanced and/or incurable.
...
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Article 22 of 109
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AUA Reaffirms Strong Support of PSA Testing (release from the American Urological Association 11.02.2009)
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The American Urological Association (AUA) is aware of recent news reports disparaging prostate cancer testing. We are concerned that these reports are causing significant confusion for patients and we wish to clarify our recommendations on prostate c...
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Article 23 of 109
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Statins Might Have A Good Effect in Reducing Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
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Some studies have suggested that statins, in addition to their benefits for prevention of heart disease, might reduce the risk of the aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by preventing ...
/quest/Winter2009/article6.html
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Article 24 of 109
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More Findings Link Finasteride to High-Grade Tumors
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Finasteride and its link to masking high-grade prostate cancer has been the topic of several articles in previous Quests. (See the URF website: www.drcatalona.com)
Now, a recent study from the University of Tampere in Tampere, Finland evaluated th...
/quest/Winter2009/article7.html
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Article 25 of 109
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One Guy To Another: Beer Geek to PSA Geek: A Life Saved – One Guy to Another
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By Cissy Lacks
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There's something to be said for a casual conversation between friends.
It's how Rick Lyke committed to getting a PSA test, how it most likely saved him from advanced prostate cancer, and how he became an effective advocate for early detection of ...
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Article 26 of 109
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Detecting the Undetectable: New Technology Could Define New PSA “Zero”
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A team of Northwestern University researchers, using an extremely sensitive tool based on nanotechnology, has detected previously undetectable levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy.
“Now, we...
/quest/Winter2009/article9.html
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Article 27 of 109
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deCODE Discovers Four New Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
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By deCODE Genetics and Dr. William J. Catalona
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In September of this year, deCODE Genetics announced that a team of its scientists discovered four novel single-letter variations in the sequence of the human genome (SNPs) conferring increased risk of prostate cancer. (online edition of Nature Genet...
/quest/Winter2009/article10.html
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Article 28 of 109
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Report On Genetic Research Of Dr. Catalona And His Research Group
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Dr. Catalona and his research group continue their important research on the genetics of prostate cancer supported by the Urological Research Foundation. They made several presentations at a recent Annual AUA meeting related to their most recent find...
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Article 29 of 109
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An Oral Surgeon Becomes A Patient: Going for the Best Chance of Cure
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By Cissy Lacks
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D r. Ben Smith is a "go to" and "get it over" kind of guy.
That's why, looking back, he wishes his general practitioner had been more up to date on recommended practices when Smith's PSA first started going up and why he wishes he had educated him...
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Article 30 of 109
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PSA Saves Lives: My Husband’s Advanced Prostate Cancer Didn't Have to Happen
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By Martha E. Shenton, Ph.D
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I read with interest, alarm, and, then horror, an article in the New York Times, July 17, 2009, entitled “In Push for Cancer Screening, Limited Benefits.” Interest, because I was hoping to read an intelligent and thoughtful article.
Alarm, because...
quest/quest_fall09_7.htm
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Article 31 of 109
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Wanting The Best In Health Care: Making Sure of Universal Coverage For Early Detection Prostate Cancer Screening
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R eform of the United States health care system is being debated in Congress and proposals are in discussion stages.
We want our readers to be aware of how the current health care reform proposals could affect access to early detection and treatme...
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Article 32 of 109
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Prostate cancer: Wait and watch - or not?
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By Lisa Priest (Globe ad Mail, Canada)
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(Dr. Catalona was a resource for this article. Courtesy of Globe and Mail, we are reprinting that portion of the article which relied on information from him.)
One of the problems with active surveillance, Dr. Catalona said, is that there is no co...
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Article 33 of 109
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A School Principal Shares His Lessons on Prostate Cancer
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By Cissy Lacks
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When Mark Dugan was diagnosed with prostate cancer, shortly after his 55th birthday, he had a lot of people to tell and he wasn’t sure how to tell them.
First were his wife, two adult children, two adult stepchildren, two brothers and a sister. An...
/quest/quest_spring09_7.htm
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Article 34 of 109
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Cancer Anyone? An Unwelcome Invitation: No RSVP Necessary
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By Epa Rosa
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It was a cold late afternoon in January of 2008 when I got the phone call from my doctor: "Epa. I have the report of your prostate biopsy. Why don't you come to my office? We need to talk".
My prostate had been bugging me for a few years. It was e...
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Article 35 of 109
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Bringing His Good Business Sense to the URF
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By Cissy Lacks
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Frank Bick has good business sense. His successes and experience have helped many a not-for-profit organization. And because of his family’s history with prostate cancer, the Urological Research Foundation has been one of the beneficiaries. Bick has ...
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Article 36 of 109
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Prostate Cancer: An Equal Opportunity Disease
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By Cissy Lacks
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Prostate cancer is an equal opportunity disease.
It can strike any man at any time.
And it struck Anthony. F Sansone, Sr. at age 64 in 1990.
At the time, he was the CEO of an extremely successful commercial real estate business, Sansone Grou...
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Article 37 of 109
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ProPSA: A pivotal Study for FDA Approval
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Last year, thousands of men got free screenings for prostate cancer at mobile medical vans.
But, this screening was more than the standard PSA test. It was a study of an experimental diagnostic tool, pro PSA, that's supposed to be better than exis...
/quest/quest_fall08_7.htm
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Article 38 of 109
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Very Personal Medicine
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By Marc C. Garnick, MD and Suzanne Coulter-Rosemary Skeele
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The Search is on for more accurate ways to diagnose prostate cancer.
How ‘biomarkers’ might save lives
An Experimental Approach
Since 1986, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test has become a routine part of man's medical regimen. The ...
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Article 39 of 109
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One PSA to Another
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By Cissy Lacks
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I am the Secretary of the URF Board and a patient of Dr. Catalona. He performed my radical prostatectomy in September 1997. I’ve written in Quest for over 5 years. I study, write, counsel, and lecture, but I am not a doctor.
Finding Out
Jess Sm...
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Article 40 of 109
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Dr. Catalona’s View:
Potential Usefulness of PCA3 and EPCA-2 Tests for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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I believe it is premature to comment on the potential usefulness of these new tests, PCA3 and EPCA-2, for early detection prostate cancer.
Both tests have been developed by good scientists. The PCA3 test is already available through certain c...
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Article 41 of 109
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Genetics of Prostate Cancer:
What You Should Know; Why You Should Care
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By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
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For over five years, Quest has been reporting on new discoveries in the genetics of prostate cancer that continue to change the way researchers view the development of prostate cancer.
In the last issue of Quest, we reported on two significant stu...
/quest/quest_spring2008_1.htm
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Article 42 of 109
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Still In His prime
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By Cissy Lacks
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Dr. Bruce Seidberg was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 59, almost 10 years ago.
It didn't take him long to choose radical prostatectomy as his treatment.
"I checked out alternatives to surgery but soon realized for a man my age, wi...
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Article 43 of 109
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Recovery: Twenty Years Later
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By Cissy Lacks
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Patrick Prader is celebrating a 20-year anniversary.
In the summer of 1987, he was diagnosed– only four hours apart–with prostate cancer and sinus cancer.
“You sure know how to mess up a fellow’s weekend,” Prader said to one of the doctors.
...
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Article 44 of 109
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Clinical Trials:
Sometimes Good, Sometimes Not
A Very Difficult Decision
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By Jules Reichel
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I am the Secretary of the URF Board and a patient of Dr. Catalona. He performed my radical prostatectomy in September 1997. I’ve written in Quest for over 5 years. I study, write, counsel, and lecture, but I am not a doctor.
An Experimental Approa...
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Article 45 of 109
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Potential Jackpot in Cancer Research:
Breakthrough In Bringing Personalized
Medicine Into Clinical Practice
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By (This article is a summary prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD, for Quest readers of a Journal Article published in Nature Genetics, 2007, “ High-throughput Oncogene Mutation Profiling in Human Cancer.” Its research and findings are a collaboration of over 50 researchers and their institutions. Dr. William J. Catalona is one of the participating researchers and the source for critical tissue samples used for testing and standardizing this exciting new technology for identifying genes that are commonly altered in patients with a variety of different common types of cancer.)
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In theory, personalized medicine – the ability to target with drugs the specific disease process of a particular person – is a terrific idea.
It guides doctors to use the right drugs for the right purpose and avoids the use of powerful medications...
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Article 46 of 109
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One Man to Another
Drug Therapies for Advanced Disease: A Positive View
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By Jules Reichel
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I’m the Secretary of the URF Board and a patient of Dr. Catalona. He performed my radical prostatectomy in September 1997. I’ve written in Quest for over 5 years. I study and write and counsel and lecture, but I am not a doctor.
This article began...
quest/quest_spring07_6.asp
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Article 47 of 109
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Training for Triathlon Temporarily Interrupted By Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
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By Anthony Effinger
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nd have this,'' Bigg says.
Halfway through Bigg's operation, Catalona called Melissa Bigg and told her things looked good. Bigg's cancer hadn't spread. For the first time in months, she felt relieved.
Bigg was discharged from the hospital. He w...
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Article 48 of 109
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Recent Genetic Findings and What They Could Mean
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By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
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The genetic research of Dr. Catalona and his collaborators has contributed to significant findings in the genetics of prostate cancer:
EGR-1 and TRMPSS2
One finding with extraordinary potential is a gene identified as EGR-1 that is up-regulated...
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Article 49 of 109
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No More Prostate Excuses
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By Richard N. Atkins
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May 12, 2006
If lost in the wilderness, search and rescue experts will tell you the first rule is to stay put and do nothing. Help will find you.
Not true for prostate cancer. And with good reason, prostate cancer is far more fatal than most of...
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Article 50 of 109
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Celebrate Life! And Then There Were Three
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By Cecilia Lacks
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“Prostate cancer is not an old man’s disease.”
Bob Buhle, single and not dating anyone, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 at age 39.
One week after his surgery, Buhle met his wife to be, Heidi. And on October 14, 2006, Heidi gave birth t...
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Article 51 of 109
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ONE MAN TO ANOTHER
Watchful Waiting:
Seldom a Good Treatment Option
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By Jules Reichel
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I’m the Secretary of the URF Board and a patient of Dr. Catalona. He performed my radical prostatectomy in September 1997. I’ve written in QUEST for 5 years. I study and write and counsel and lecture, but I am not a doctor.
Search For Silver Bulle...
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Article 52 of 109
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Proscar (finasteride) Still Getting Misleading Attention
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Studies showing that men taking Proscar (finasteride) had a statistically significant increase in high-grade tumors lessened interest in using Proscar to prevent prostate cancer and as a treatment for enlarged prostate.
A recent new study challeng...
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Article 53 of 109
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A Most Exciting Discovery:
A Gene That Appears to Pass on the Risk of Prostate Cancer
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By This article is based upon research information published in Nature Genetics, June 2006. Dr. Catalona is one of the co-authors and his research population from the Northwestern prostate SPORE Pathology Core is one of the US groups studied. This material is adapted for Quest readers.
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A group of scientists and doctors from around the world , including Dr. William J. Catalona, have participated in a study with an Icelandic company, deCode Genetics, to identify genetic risks for prostate cancer.
The search has resulted in a most ...
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Article 54 of 109
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Life After Prostate Cancer: Fishing, Canoeing and Camping
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By Cecilia Lacks
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Before Marty Koch was diagnosed with prostate cancer, at the age of 49, he had never needed stitches for anything – much less been in a hospital.
Needless to say, he was scared.
Koch described himself as “being on the edge.” He had fears of “dy...
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Article 55 of 109
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ONE MAN TO ANOTHER
The Controversial Topic of Nutrition and Supplements “Every unsolved disease cries out for garlic around the neck.”
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By Jules Reichel
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“Every unsolved disease cries out for garlic around the neck.”
By Jules Reichel
Does good nutrition prevent or cure prostate cancer?
When I was a little boy, a kid on the next block had a distorted body from polio. I recall being afraid to talk ...
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Article 56 of 109
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She Fights Off Coyote to Rescue Her Pooch
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By by Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune Staff Reporter
(excerpt reprinted courtesy of the Chicago Tribune)
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Cecilia (Cissy) Lacks, Managing Editor of Quest, was on the front page of the Chicago Tribune when the paper covered the story of her miniature poodle being attacked by a coyote in the afternoon, on a mall parking lot in a Chicago suburb. Cecilia, Dr...
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Article 57 of 109
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URF and Dr. Catalona’s Prostate Cancer
Research Collaborations Help Other Scientists
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Researchers build upon each other's findings
The possibility that some prostate cancers might be caused by a virus has received media attention in the last few months.
If research shows that a virus causes some prostate cancers, then developing...
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Article 58 of 109
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An Advance for Using PSA to Diagnose Prostate Cancer
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Dr. Catalona has built upon his findings to discover various components of PSA
One of the most serious dilemmas in diagnosing prostate cancer is that the PSA test, recognized first by Dr. Catalona as an invaluable tool for early detection of prost...
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Article 59 of 109
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Identifying Men Susceptible to Prostate Cancer
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To facilitate prostate cancer gene mapping and identification, the ICPCG was established in 2002
Dr. Catalona will be a co-investigator for a prostate cancer susceptibility study sponsored by ICPCG, the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer...
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Article 60 of 109
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ONE MAN TO ANOTHER: Surgery Plus Radiation When Required:
Is It the Best Choice?
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By Jules Reichel
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My prior article in QUEST, Winter 2005, described a "universal" approach to achieving a high likelihood of long-term remission and a return to a positive life for a wide range of prostate cancer patients who have low-risk to high-risk disease.
The...
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Article 61 of 109
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Pioneer of PSA Screen Sounds Off
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By Shirley Ruedy (reprinted courtesy of The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
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He’s the guy who pioneered the PSA test as a screening tool for prostate cancer.
He thinks doctors are dead wrong who think men with low PSA levels only need the test every other year. He also says men should start it at age 40, not 50, as most ex...
quest/Winter05/quest_winter05_2.asp
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Article 62 of 109
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SPORE: Research Projects and Patient Advocates
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QUEST would like its readers to know about SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) from the National Institutes of Health and the role patients can have in supporting prostate cancer research.
Dr. Catalona has begun a collection o...
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Article 63 of 109
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One Man to Another
Surgery plus radiation when required offers an almost universal approach for the PSA era
(The precedent-setting study of Dr. Michael Bolla)
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By Jules Reichel
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A Universal Approach
The goals for treating prostate cancer are to achieve long-term remission, and to return patients to a positive life, largely as before, regardless of the medical situation at diagnosis. This ability to respond effectively...
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Article 64 of 109
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18 Holes of Golf and a Radical Prostatectomy
or (Obi-Wan, Me, and a Radical Prostatectomy)
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By Stephen G. Avgerinos
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One year after my radical prostatectomy, I was driving home after 18 holes of golf and a wonderful dinner.
Dr. Catalona, who I now refer to secretly as Obi-Wan, had removed my prostate with nerve sparing surgery.
What was running through my min...
quest/Winter05/quest_winter05_7.asp
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Article 65 of 109
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Reports From Dr. Catalona’s Follow-up Studies
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By Prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD
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screening is widely used as an aid to early detection of prostate cancer. Early detection increases the opportunity for long-term progression-free survival. Presently, the selection of treatment for early stage prostate cancer involves four choices: ...
quest/Winter05/quest_winter05_9.asp
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Article 66 of 109
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Grant Supports Prostate Cancer Research
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Many companies establish foundations to support the research and educational activities of not for profit organizations. Often, these foundations consider supporting organizations recommended by their employees.
James Schneiders , vice-president o...
quest/Winter05/quest_winter05_10.asp
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Article 67 of 109
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TP and Me: Prostate Cancer and Hope
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By Michael Murray
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Late last August, at the time of the New Moon, on an Island in Northern Lake Michigan, a hopeful and loving couple was able-under trying circumstances- to give life to a child nicknamed “TP” who rests in my arms as I write these words.
These words,...
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Article 68 of 109
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Longer Screening Intervals Delay Prostate Cancer Detection
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By Will Boggs, MD (reprint from Reuters Health Information 2005. © 2005 Reuters Ltd.)
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This reprint of an article summarizes studies by Dr. Catalona which show that extending the prostate cancer screening interval to 2 or 4 years would substantially delay the detection of prostate cancers.
Extending the prostate cancer screening int...
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Article 69 of 109
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One Man to Another
The Pathology Point of View
(Patient, Know Thy Tumor)
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By Jules Reichel
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The Pathology Challenge
Prostate cancer begins as cellular mutations, or “cancers”, in the prostate, produced by our DNA/RNA (genetic) system for establishing cells.
The cause for the cancerous cells can be the environment, heredity, or normal...
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Article 70 of 109
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Message from a Patient: Delayed Return of Erections
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I am approximately 18 months post nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.
My erectile function is just now beginning to return to near my pre-operation level. I was able to achieve penetration and go to completion using a 20 mg Cialis dose for the fi...
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Article 71 of 109
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Lesson from a Patient:
Making the Recovery Work Better
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By Michael Murray, PhD, JD
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When I first learned I had prostate cancer, I heard from people about the “numbers game,” the odds related to prostate cancer: how many men get it; how long they live after diagnosis; how many stay continent; how many stay potent.
The conversation...
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Article 72 of 109
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One Man to Another
New-Era Of Treatment vs. PSA-Era
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By Jules Reichel
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In general, the New Era strategy for prostate cancer is to screen and possibly treat men earlier when the cancer is limited and weak.
The goal is to keep a patient’s life as it was before the diagnosis and ensuing treatment.
The dramatic redu...
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Article 73 of 109
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Faces Behind Blood and Tissue Samples
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Prostate cancer research samples are much more than tissue stored in a freezer at a research center.
Behind each sample is a person, a life story and a family history.
The McCammons
Carol: My husband, Dr. Robert McCammon died this January....
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Article 74 of 109
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Prostate Cancer Survivor Who Is “Better Than Cured”
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By Cecilia Lacks
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At 44 years old, Danny More was a successful agent for coaches and mangers in professional and college football.
At 44 years old, Danny More was also a prostate cancer patient.
Now, at 49, More is still a successful agent and, according to hi...
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Article 75 of 109
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One Man to Another
A New Treatment Era: Better Outcomes for Prostate Cancer
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By Jules Reichel
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A revolution is going on in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer,
and I want to make sure that everyone knows about it.
1990’s: First Era Of Treatment Success
After about 80 years of poor outcomes from both surgical and radiation...
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Article 76 of 109
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Running the Boston Marathon:
Jim Carrick’s 1-year Anniversary with a RRP
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By Cecilia Lacks
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One year to the day after Jim Carrick’s operation to remove his cancerous prostate, he ran the Boston Marathon.
Racing isn’t important to him. But his wife, three daughters, friends, business, and local community are.
The Marathon was to show h...
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Article 77 of 109
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One Man to Another
New Practices + Improved Techniques = Better Outcomes
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By Jules Reichel
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NCCN Guidelines For Early Detection
My favorite “Practice Guidelines” for the treatment of prostate cancer (CaP) are prepared by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) group of medical centers, which are the 19 comprehensive centers of e...
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Article 78 of 109
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Familial Prostate Cancer Screening Program Opens at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
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By William J. Catalona, MD
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We are enrolling people with a family history of prostate cancer in
research studies that aim to map the genetics of prostate cancer
We have opened a Familial Prostate Cancer Screening Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago to he...
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Article 79 of 109
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John Clark’s Adventures:
Kayaking, Bicycling, and Prostate Cancer
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By Cecilia Lacks
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John Clark is an athlete – a middle-aged athlete who was treated for prostate cancer last year.
His career, until he retired at 54, was athletic director for St. Lawrence University. His children, seven of them, are athletes too.
Naturally ...
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Article 80 of 109
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A Progress Report:
My Research Projects on the Genetics of Prostate Cancer
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By William J. Catalona, M.D
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Prostate cancer (CaP) is a complex disease involving multiple steps and pathways to the development of cancer. Each step involves one or more genetic changes.
Family studies have found varying degrees of clustering of prostate cancer in certain fa...
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Article 81 of 109
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One Man to Another
Where We Stand In Trying To Be “Cured”
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By Jules Reichel
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Why a patient's column?
This is not a doctor’s column. I am a patient of Dr. Catalona and a member of the URF Board. This column attempts to provide a patient’s perspective on prostate cancer to the readers of QUEST.
To review my prior columns, p...
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Article 82 of 109
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One Man to Another
Revolution in Screening for Prostate Cancer
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By Jules Reichel
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Dr. Catalona recommends lower PSA screening threshold
The July 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine contains a study by Dr. Catalona and his associates that completes his 8-year series of research publications on lowering the PSA screen...
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Article 83 of 109
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One Man to Another
Goldilocks and Prostate Cancer
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By Jules Reichel
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We, too, are looking for "just right" treatment of prostate cancer. Our doctors are getting closer to finding such an approach. Although no study has as yet described a complete answer, some early results may be helpful to patients.
Being treated ...
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Article 84 of 109
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Blood and Tissue Samples:
Why They Are So Important to Dr. Catalona
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By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
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Blood and tissue samples from patients serve at least two purposes.
One is to help with the diagnosis and treatment for a particular patient. The PSA test (from a blood sample) and the prostate biopsy (from a tissue sample) are two prime examples....
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Article 85 of 109
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One Man to Another
It's In the Numbers
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By Jules Reichel
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My journey with prostate cancer began by learning about the individual numbers that are used for specifying the disease. In my case they were: Stage T1c (elevated PSA with no palpable tumor), PSA=5.4ng/ml (nanograms of protein per milliliter of blood...
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Article 86 of 109
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Update: Prostate Cancer Research
Looking for Prostate Cancer Genes
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At a recent CaP CURE conference, Dr. Catalona presented summaries of recent genetic studies conducted by his collaborative prostate cancer research group.
"We are trying to find possible genomic regions associated with prostate cancer," Dr. Catalo...
quest/quest_winter2002_1.htm
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Article 87 of 109
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One Man to Another
Statistics and Prognosis
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By Jules Reichel
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Based upon his case history, Jules Reichel discusses the statistics of prostate cancer and how they relate to a patient's prognosis. A second topic covered is considerations in choosing a doctor for treatment of prostate cancer.
Why a patient's co...
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Article 88 of 109
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Reports from Dr. Catalona's Follow-up Studies
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Comparing Treatments
Radical prostatectomy provides a higher 7-year PSA progression-free rate than other treatments for localized prostate cancer.
A member of Dr. Catalona's research team in St. Louis, Julie Krygiel, reported preliminary result...
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Article 89 of 109
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One Man to Another
Medical Specifications of Prostate Cancer
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By Jules Reichel
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This article discusses medical specifications of prostate cancer: clinical stage, PSA reading, DRE findings, number and percentage of cancer in biopsy cores, and Gleason score. It answers the questions: What do I do with these terms of the specifica...
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Article 90 of 109
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Markers for Prostate Cancer: What's New
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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New findings are improving the screening procedures for prostate cancer. This article is based upon a State-of-the-Art Presentation given by Dr. Catalona at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting this May.
The genetics revolution will ...
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Article 91 of 109
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Findings From Dr. Catalona's Collaborative Research Group
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Annual PSA and DRE Are Recommended
Currently, annual PSA tests and (DRE) digital rectal exams are recommended by both the American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association.
Recently, some authors have suggested that annual tests ...
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Article 92 of 109
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Key to High Cure Rate Is Early Diagnosis
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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The key to good results in treating localized prostate cancer is to make the diagnosis as early as possible.
Now, at least 80% of prostate cancers can be detected while they are still contained within the prostate, and 90% of prostate cancers can ...
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Article 93 of 109
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Does PSA Screening Find Cancers That Could Be Better Left Alone?
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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Some material in recent articles suggest that PSA screening finds prostate cancers that are then treated when they don't need to be or when the treatment carries more risk than the presence of the cancer.
In other words, PSA screening is finding c...
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Article 94 of 109
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One Man to Another
Emotions, Issues and Facts
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By Jules Reichel
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This column is the first of a series in which patient and patient advocate Jules Reichel discusses emotions, issues, and facts surrounding the treatment of prostate cancer.
Why a patient's column?
This is not a doctor's column. I am, in fact, a...
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Article 95 of 109
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URF Participating in New Method of Drug Discovery
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By Cecilia Lacks, Ph.D.
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At a recent board meeting of the Urological Research Foundation, Dr. Catalona told members that he is actively participating in new work which can greatly affect the detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
Up until now, many standard treatment...
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Article 96 of 109
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The Hepsin Discovery:
Potential for Hope in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
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By Cecilia Lacks, Ph.D.
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Prostate cancer specimens provided by Dr. William Catalona and financial support from the Urological Research Foundation have helped in the discovery of a protein, hepsin, that hopefully will lead to dramatic new methods for the treatment of prostate...
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Article 97 of 109
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Solving the Prostate Cancer Puzzle
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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If you have a jigsaw puzzle and it's totally disassembled and someone hands you a piece and it's blue, the most difficult task is to figure out where that first piece goes.
Then, every piece you put in gets easier than the one before it.
When a...
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Article 98 of 109
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Microarray: the Word to Know
New Technology For New Research in Prostate Cancer Treatments
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By Cecilia Lacks, Ph.D.
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Just five years ago, genes were studied one by one. Now, thousands are studied at one time with the development of a new technology – the DNA microarray.
A particular cell contains the entire complement of 30,000 genes and these genes send message...
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Article 99 of 109
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Gene Expression Studies:
Using Prostate Cancer Specimens from Dr. Catalona
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By Cecilia Lacks, Ph.D.
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Two noted scientists working in Boston are using prostate cancer specimens from Dr. Catalona to further their research.
Todd Golub, M.D. is a specialist in the genetics of cancer at the MIT Center for Genome Research and at the Dana Farber Cancer ...
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Article 100 of 109
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Latest Developments in Prostate Cancer Treatment
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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Taking the Information Plunge...
Each year, Dr. Catalona presents a course at the American Urological Association Meeting in which he reviews selected articles from the medical literature to update urologists on the latest developments in prostate c...
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Article 101 of 109
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Progress in Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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Dr. Catalona was the keynote speaker for the Florida Cancer Education Network's Gala 2001. Other participants included Senator Connie Mack and Senator Bob Dole (via videotape). Dr. Catalona's speech on the progress made in prostate cancer treatment a...
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Article 102 of 109
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Free PSA Less Helpful for PSA 2.6 to 4
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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Various components of the PSA Study were featured in presentations for a recent American Urological Association meeting by William J. Catalona, MD; Kimberly Roehl, MPH; and JoAnn Antenor, BS. We thought the QUEST readers would be interested in their ...
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Article 103 of 109
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Opportunity to Help:
For Prostate-Cancer Free African-Americans
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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Being healthy is a gift that can be shared with future generations of African-American males.
Dr. Catalona is inviting prostate-cancer free African-American men to participate in a control group for an important genetic study on prostate cancer an...
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Article 104 of 109
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Screening High-Risk Men in Their Forties
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer (particularly those with an affected brother or father) are at higher risk to develop prostate cancer.
In high-risk patients, prostate cancer tends to occur at a younger age. Th...
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Article 105 of 109
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Prostate Cancer Research Is Group Effort
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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Projects in scientific research are not done by one person anymore.
Often, they are a team effort involving scientists from all parts of the United States and other countries as well.
The collaborative research groups on prostate cancer coordin...
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Article 106 of 109
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In Search of Prostate Cancer Genes:
A Journey of DNA Samples
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By Cecilia Lacks, Ph.D.
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The journey of a constitutional DNA sample, the DNA that makes up an
individual's human genome, most often begins with taking someone's
blood.
Blood is an excellent source of lots of fresh cells so blood samples are a
most ...
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Article 107 of 109
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A Surgeon's View: Why Genetics? Why Now?
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By Cecilia Lacks, Ph.D.
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In a brief look back at his career, surgeon William Catalona answers the question of why genetics is the next tool for researching the causes of and treatments for prostate cancer.
When Dr. Catalona began his medical career, his goal was to improve...
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Article 108 of 109
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Different From Other Diseases:
Genetic Research on Prostate Cancer
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By Cecilia Lacks, Ph.D.
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While the methods and goals of genetic research are similar, the diseases are not.
Prostate cancer has its own set of circumstances with which genetic researchers have to contend.
Most Common
Cancer in Men
First and foremost is the fact that p...
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Article 109 of 109
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Genetic Research Report New Regions in DNA Statistically Associated with Prostate Cancer
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By William J. Catalona, M.D.
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Dr. Catalona and his research collaborators have just completed a linkage analysis of DNA obtained from blood samples collected over ten years from brothers with prostate cancer.A linkage analysis is a statistical method to determine if two kinds of ...
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