What you need to know about Prostate Cancer

Brian McGarry’s Story 1/30/2014 To: DCS Faculty From: Brian McGarry Patty and I received news in the last couple weeks that I have inoperable prostate cancer that has spread to the bones and lymph glands. The last two weeks have been quite emotional for us. The irony is that I feel great and have no overt symptoms. But all the tests have confirmed this diagnosis and we are devastated. We met with a specialist recently and the outlook isn't so grim. Apparently, there are many treatments available, some of which I've already begun. I am seeking a 2nd opinion at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN and am scheduled to travel there the week of Feb 24th. I'm told that through a combination of treatments and vigilance, I can live many years. You should know how much Patty and I appreciate the wonderful, life-saving, health care benefits this district has given us, as well as the love, prayers, and support expressed by many.

Did You Know? In Duanesburg, Delanson, and Esperance alone, there were 35 cases of Prostate Cancer in the span of four years.

Did You Know? The estimates for 2014 indicated that there would be approximately 233,000 new cases of Prostate Cancer throughout the United States.

Did You Know? 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in their lifetime. 1 in 36 men will die from this disease.

...you are a white male over 50 years old YOU ARE AT RISK for Prostate Cancer IF:

Brian McGarry’s Story “Patty & I sought 4-opinions (Albany Med, Dana Farber, Mayo Clinic, & MD Anderson). The latter offered the most aggressive treatment plan. It was risky, but we thought it would give me the best shot at beating this thing. There are only 35-participants in the trial & the senior researcher told me that my response to the medicine has been the best of all the participants. It's a Phase II trial, meaning everyone gets the drug. No placebos.”

...you are a black male over 40 years old (60% more common if you are of black ethnicity compared to white.) YOU ARE AT RISK for Prostate Cancer IF:

you are older than 65 years old (2/3 of all cases show up after this age.) YOU ARE AT RISK for Prostate Cancer IF:

Brian McGarry’s Story “God has answered our prayers. I didn't know it when I was diagnosed (1/16/14), but I had very little time left (1-2 years). However, I was accepted into a clinical trial out of Houston with an experimental chemo which is a miracle drug (at least for me). I'm now given 10+ years. Life & God are good!”

...you have a family history of Prostate Cancer (5-10% of all cases are due to heredity) YOU ARE AT RISK for Prostate Cancer IF:

...you have unhealthy habits including eating unhealthily, and not exercising YOU ARE AT RISK for Prostate Cancer IF:

 Pelvic pain  Frequent need for urination  Bone pain  Loss of appetite and weight Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:

A scale model of Texas Medical Center, a 142 acre medical center campus in Houston, Texas. MD Anderson Center was opened for public use in One-third of the facility was used JUST for research.

YOU ARE AT A HIGHER RISK for Prostate Cancer IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN A SCREENING RECENTLY What’s YOUR PSA?

Treatment centers:  University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX  Memorial Sloan Kettering; New York, NY  Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, MA  UCSF Medical Center; San Francisco, CA  Mayo Clinic; Rochester, MN

Dr. Christopher Logothetis Department Chair in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Dr. Logothetis is a world-renowned prostate cancer doctor.