ASPI webinar for Aug. 26: Dr. Stacy Loeb on lifestyle--diet, sleep, exercise--on PCa in new Active Surveillance 101 video
By Howard Wolinsky
In the latest segment of the Active Surveillance 101 video series, Stacy Loeb, MD, of New York University Langone Health, discusses the role of lifestyle for low-risk prostate cancer patients.
Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI) will host a free webinar featuring the video from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Saturday, Aug. 26. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2attxbt4
Registrants who can’t attend will get a link to the video.
A question-and-answer session will follow the video. We’ll let you know if Dr. Loeb confirms she can make it.
In the AS 101 series, modeled after a basic college-level course, PCa patient Larry White and his well-informed wife Nancy question experts in the field on top-of-mind issues for patients on AS.
In this segment, urologist Loeb, who is studying to be board certified in lifestyle medicine, shares her research on the role of lifestyle plays in low-risk prostate cancer, including a whole food plant-based diet, exercise, and sleep.
Loeb has followed a plant-based diet for the past three years and is on the cutting edge of research on lifestyle issues and prostate cancer.
One of the first things I asked my urologist when I was diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer 13 years ago was whether I should follow a special diet.
He said there was no proof at that time that I should.
But Loeb’s research has shown a new way with a plant-based diet.
(Dr. Stacy Loeb, NYU.)
Loeb, who herself has followed a plant-based diet for the past three years, shares her research and answers questions, including these:
—How difficult is it to stay on a plant-based diet (or any other diet) for a long period?
—What role can a spouse or partner play?
—What is the best place to start?
—Do you see PSA levels drop with dietary intervention?
—Do you ever see lesions found by MRI resolve due to a dietary change?
—Are your findings relevant only for patients who have been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer? What about patients with more advanced disease?
—Can diet prevent cancer?
—How important is exercise for our overall health? How much exercise is recommended?
—How important is sleep for our overall health?
In the Active Surveillance 101 series, the Whites interview the experts on major issues in prostate cancer, such as what to do when you have a rising PSA, what role imaging plays, and what to do about genetic testing. To view the series, go to: https://aspatients.org/a-s-101/
AS 101 is a project of the AS Coalition, including ASPI, the AS Virtual Support Group from AnCan, the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, Prostate Cancer Support Canada, the Walnut Foundation, and TheActiveSurveillor.com Substack newsletter.
Alex and Peter Scholz and their team at PCRI recorded and edited the program.
(Dr. Laurence Klotz receiving the first Chodak Award from ASPI in 2022.)
Join AS pioneer Dr. Laurence Klotz in a webinar on focal therapy on Aug. 31
Dr. Laurence Klotz, of the University of Toronto, is one of the “fathers” of Active Surveillance. Klotz also is a pioneer in focal therapy, methods to remove lesions without performing radical prostatectomies.
He will share his experience with focal therapy in a free webinar from AnCan Foundation at 8-9:30 p.m. August 31 entitled, "Is focal therapy right for your prostate cancer?" Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1495697985984134744
You should leave the program with an understanding of whether you are a candidate—or not—for focal therapy.
Focal therapy offers middle-ground therapy for men with localized prostate cancer. It uses ablation, or tissue destruction, to target the area that contains the index lesion. Men who have focal therapy will continue to be monitored after treatment.
This program is aimed at the newly diagnosed who are considering options and those who are considering leaving Active Surveillance.
If you can’t make it, register and you’ll automatically get the link to the video.
Time for a laugh in the Gleason prostate humor contest
By Howard Wolinsky
Now you can submit your prostate jokes, cartoons, limericks, whatever—on DREs, PSAs, BPH, and prostatitis—to The Gleasons—Putting The Glee In Gleason Scores, the first prostate humor contest.
The contest, started by Jim-Bob Williams, a therapeutic humorist and Gleason 6 patient, and me, is open to doctors and patients alike.
Share your prostate humor at howard.wolinsky@gmail.com The deadline is Sept. 1. A distinguished panel will announce the winners later in September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
We’re adding a professional category. Comedians like to do observational humor on their first prostate exams. Nominate your favorites.
Check out these bits from:
Hurricane:
John Mulaney
Andrew Santino
Marc Maron:
For more:
Yes, you can laugh at prostate cancer, BPH, etc.
By Howard Wolinsky When George Burns played God Almighty in “Oh,God!,” the 1977 movie, he was asked what mistakes he had made. He listed ostriches, tobacco, giraffes, avocados (“Did you see the size of the pits?), and, finally, as the story goes, the prostate.
BTW, here’s Dr. Brian Helfand, my urologist—about to give me the finger.
How about submitting a caption for The Gleasons to go with this photo?
Click here for the MUSIC video: https://tinyurl.com/wephhrm9
I'll have to find that.
NOTE: Stacy Loeb, MD, has been invited to answer questions after the video. We'll let you know if she can make it.