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Finding Inspiration in Ocean's Care
Ocean's range of treatments for prostate cancer means there's
something for everyone. One Brick resident was so inspired by his
experience, he now volunteers there.
When 79-year-old Donald
Williams greets cancer patients
arriving for radiation therapy
at Ocean Medical Center, he can relate.
In 2003, he received his own startling
diagnosis: prostate cancer. That experience
inspired him to volunteer at Ocean.
"Donald's here every day at 6:00 a.m.,
and he offers a warm welcome to everyone,"
says Rod Garman, manager of the
Radiation Therapy Department at Ocean.
"He helps with the monthly Prostate
Cancer Support Group, too. By sharing
his experience, he's helped many through
their own treatment experiences."
Both men are proud of the new support
group, which they say represents the kind of
caring, personalized treatment and full range
of effective medical therapies, both surgical
and nonsurgical, available at Ocean.
Treating Without Surgery
In Donald's case, hormone therapy, which
combines injections and oral medication
to keep cancer in check, made the
most sense. Donald's urologist, Charles
Bellingham, M.D., routinely measures his
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level to
monitor his condition.
"When my PSA goes up, I go through
treatment to bring it down," Donald
explains. Dr. Bellingham adds that the goal
of hormone therapy in general is regression,
rather than cure. The risk for sexual or
urinary side effects is low.
Radiation therapy, a noninvasive and painless
treatment that involves shrinking tumors
using radiation, is available at Ocean through
Garman's team. The noninvasive CyberKnife®
stereotactic radiosurgery, which provides radiation
over a period of five days, is also offered
through Ocean. Studies show that radiation
therapy can be just as effective as surgery.
Expert Surgical Care
In younger men, cancer may be aggressive,
so treatment may need to be more aggressive, says Dr. Bellingham. Among all
treatments, prostatectomy — the surgical
removal of the prostate — offers the lowest
chances of recurrence. "Nerve-sparing
techniques used here help preserve sexual
function so men can go on to live normal,
healthy lives," he explains.
Another procedure, known as
brachytherapy, involves implanting radioactive
seeds in key locations to offer a
continual dose of radiation that shrinks the
prostate and any tumors over a period of
months. Seeds eventually lose their radioactivity
and do not need to be removed.
Regardless of which treatment is right
for you, Dr. Bellingham encourages careful
thought. "Each treatment carries benefits
and risks, so men should discuss their
options with their doctors," he says.
LifeSaving Screening Critical
Men have a one-in-eight lifetime chance
of developing prostate cancer. Screenings,
which include both the PSA blood test as
well as a physical exam, should begin at
age 50, he says. For those with a family
history, as well as African-American men,
screening should begin at 45.
"Get screened," Donald tells friends.
"Early detection is best. And if you're ever
shocked by your own diagnosis, the wonderful
doctors, staff, and support group are
here at Ocean to help you before, during,
and after treatment."
Ocean Medical Center
- Main Conference Room (second floor) | First Thursday of each month | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Riverview Medical Center
- Booker Cancer Center Conference Room | Second Thursday of each month | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
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