LISTEN:
This week's episode of Hadassah On Call podcast dives right into some of the most pressing health issues faced by men everywhere. Dr. Ofer Gofrit, chair of the Urology Department at the Hadassah Medical Organization, will tells us everything we need to know about the most common malignant tumor in men today – prostate cancer, from prevalence to risk factors to treatment options.
WATCH:
“Prostate cancer is a slow-growing tumor. There is time to diagnose it early,” says Dr. Gofrit, asserting that while treatment is not always necessary, early screening is. According to Dr. Gofrit, starting screenings at 45 years old is key, especially when genetics are at play, as a grandfather or father having the disease is a great risk factor. If prostate cancer is indeed diagnosed, the next step would be surveillance. Dr. Gofrit stresses that active surveillance is a common practice today and may be the solution for overtreatment, which, sadly, became quote prevalent in the part. .
To help prevent even getting to that point, Dr. Gofrit notes the importance of wise lifestyle choices. “Whatever is good for the heart is also good for the prostate,” he says. A balanced diet, regular aerobic exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help postpone or prevent the disease. It’s proven that overweight men have a higher risk of prostate cancer.
Dr. Gofrit also discusses the pros and cons of PSA testing and the use of more predictive blood tests and imaging to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. When treatment is needed, options include surgery, radiation and hormonal therapy.
The episode will feature other key points to note when it comes to prostate cancer treatments, such as its impact on everyday life as well as the patient’s intimacy, possible signs of recurrence following treatment, and the link between cancer, the BCG vaccine, and Alzheimer’s disease.
"Hadassah On Call: New Frontiers in Medicine" is a production of Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America. Hadassah enhances the health of people around the world through medical education, care and research innovations at the Hadassah Medical Organization. For more information on the latest advances in medicine, please head over to hadassah.org.