Cancer Center Doctors hold Prostate Cancer Q&A

GOSHEN, Ind. - There are more than 2 million men living in the United States today who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. This year alone, another estimated 186,000 men will be diagnosed with cancer of the prostate, and over 28,000 will succumb to the disease.

"Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men," said Dr. Anthony Avallone, MD, FACS, and Urologic Oncologist at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. "It is not just a disease of older men - it can affect men as young as 40. These statistics are important because most men with prostate cancer show no symptoms. We cannot stress enough to men the importance of beginning regular prostate cancer screenings at age 50, or sooner if there is family history of the disease."

In conjunction with Prostate Cancer Awareness week, Sept. 14 - 20, Goshen Center for Cancer Care is inviting the community to join a panel of cancer center doctors for a Prostate Cancer Q&A. on Sept. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Arbor Conference Center of Goshen General Hospital.

Doctors will cover topics from screening and diagnosis to advance treatments of prostate cancer, as well as answering questions from the community.

Dr. Avallone will discuss prostate screening and surgical therapy. Dr. James Wheeler, MD, PhD, Director of Radiation Oncology, will discuss radiation therapy while Naturopathic Physician Emily Moore will speak on prevention and active surveillance.

Recently, said Avallone, there have been tremendous advances in radiation therapy and surgical techniques that provide a high chance of cure in early stage prostate cancer with far fewer side-effects than in the past.

"We will be discussing some of the newer radiation and surgical techniques including tomotherapy and robotic surgery," he said. "Recently the US Preventative Health Task Force came out with new recommendations regarding screening for prostate cancer. We will also be discussing these new recommendations."

This event is free and open to anyone interested in prostate health. Healthy appetizers will be served. For more information, call 574- 535-2597.

About Goshen Center for Cancer Care:
The Goshen Center for Cancer Care is a leader in innovative cancer treatment. Among the first to adopt a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, the center offers holistic programs for strengthening minds as well as bodies and places a premium on family involvement and spiritual needs. Through this integrative team approach, the center provides medical, radiation, nuclear and surgical oncology as well as naturopathic medicine.

The Goshen Center for Cancer Care is involved in, and sponsors, a number of clinical trials. Additionally, prevention, screening, diagnostic and treatment trials are conducted at The Goshen Center for Cancer Care, as well as quality of life trials and genetic trials. Clinical trials offered include treatments for breast cancer, colon cancer, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, myeloma, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. To find out more about the Goshen Center for Cancer Care or Goshen Health System, call 866-561-HOPE or visit www.goshencancer.org.

About Goshen Health System:
Goshen Health System is a not-for-profit provider of health care that includes Goshen General Hospital, The Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Park Home Medical Equipment, PrimeCare Physician Network, Team:Bariatrics, The Retreat Women's Health Center and Indiana Lakes Managed Care Organization. The health system is an affiliate partner of Clarian Health. For more information about Goshen Health System, contact Bridget Levitz, Public Relations Coordinator at 574-535-2776 or visit www.goshenhealth.org.