FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Matt Kozar[email protected]
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness MonthMount Sinai Experts are Making Strides in Prostate Cancer Treatment Newswise — (New York – September 1, 2017) – Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, and the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. It’s estimated that one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and one in thirty nine will die of the disease.
Physicians at Mount Sinai are regularly testing new technologies with the goal of minimizing damage to healthy tissue during treatment. Ash Tewari, MBBS, MCh, Professor and Chair of the Department of Urology at Mount Sinai Health System, is a leader in robotic prostate surgery and has performed more than 5,500 robotic prostatectomies. His novel approach called ART™ uses diagnostic imaging during surgery to spare crucial nerves, which can prevent incontinence and impotence. “We take a deliberate, thorough and cautious approach to managing prostate cancer,” says Dr. Tewari.
Dr. Tewari also utilizes NeuroSAFE™ – a technique that tests healthy tissue margin around the tumor to ensure all of the cancer has been removed. Samples are frozen and reviewed by a pathologist. Results can be obtained within minutes, while the patient is still in the operating room.
While surgery may be appropriate for some patients, physicians may recommend active surveillance as an alternative treatment. This approach entails a close monitoring of cancer via regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and digital rectal exams (DRE). Prostate cancer is often a slow growing disease and patients may not require radiation therapy or surgery unless conditions worsen. Currently, 230 of Dr. Tewari’s patients are monitored through active surveillance.
Available for Interview:• Ash Tewari, MBBS, MCh, Kyung Hyun Kim MD Chair in Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Chairman, Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr.Tewari believes that a healthy body leads to better surgical outcomes. “Studies have shown that a decrease in abdominal fat translates to better healing and outcomes after prostate cancer surgery. Being in your best shape physically and mentally before surgery along with constant hydration after surgery is highly recommended.”
• Ken, a 60-year-old financial services professional, had a nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy 11 months ago. He was an active cyclist, who exercised regularly and kept a diligent diet. But with a family history of prostate cancer, he committed himself to annual PSA blood work and exams. When his test results indicated a change, he was ready to tackle cancer and explore the best treatment options. Dr. Tewari recommended surgery because of the patient’s age (young), health (excellent) and family history. “I did not experience any of the usual side effects,” the patient says. “I feel as good as I did before surgery.” Dr. Tewari points to the patient’s physical health as contributing to his smooth recovery. Ken continues to exercise regularly and travels with his family.
Tips for Prostate Cancer Prevention:• Age is the greatest risk factor: The average age at diagnosis of prostate cancer in the United States is 69 years. • Family history is important: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man's risk.• Race is a factor: Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men, and they have more than twice the risk of dying from it.• Keep a healthy diet: Eat more low-fat, high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables; limit intake of red or processed meat. Avoid smoking.• Diagnosing cancer early: Speak with your physician about the benefits of screening. For men at high risk, screening should be considered at 40. • Screening tests: Screenings consist of a blood test to measure the PSA level and a digital rectal exam, which can uncover physical abnormalities of the prostate that may be a sign of cancer.
Prostate Cancer Screening Event:2nd Annual Push Up for Prostate Cancer Challenge – September 23rd, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Guggenheim Pavilion (1468 Madison Avenue at 100th Street)Physicians and staff will be on hand to answer questions about prostate cancer and men’s health. Free prostate cancer risk consultations will be provided to the general public. Participants are encouraged to join the Prostate Cancer Push Up Challenge, sponsored by Mount Sinai’s Department of Urology. Dennis S. Charney, MD, Dean of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs at Mount Sinai Health System, will kick off the Challenge at 1:15 pm to raise awareness for exercise as a critical component to a healthy lifestyle.
About the Mount Sinai Health SystemThe Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services—from commu nity-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.
The System includes approximately 7,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is in the “Honor Roll” of best hospitals in America, ranked No. 15 nationally in the 2016-2017 “Best Hospitals” issue of U.S. News & World Report. The Mount Sinai Hospital is also ranked as one of the nation’s top 20 hospitals in Geriatrics, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Ear, Nose & Throat, and is in the top 50 in four other specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 10 nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. Mount Sinai’s Kravis Children’s Hospital is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report in "Best Children's Hospitals."For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.###
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