Prostate & Urological Health

A Mediaplanet Guide to Learning About Prostate Health

Prostate & Urological Health

Brian Custer Prostate cancer spurred him to speak out about his experience, and to urge men to visit their doctors

Putting the “super” in your foods can help you on your journey to better health Championing health equity can help catch health issues earlier, including prostate cancer

DECEMBER 2021 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

Prostate Cancer: The Purpose For My Passion

In April of 2012, I received the diagnosis that I had prostate cancer. The doctor said, “I have good news and bad news.” The bad news was that I had prostate cancer. The good news was that she felt it was confined to the prostate. The visit then took an unexpected turn. She said to me: “Take some time, about three months and do some research. When you’re finished, come back and let me know what you want to do for your treatment.” At first, I was surprised by her instructions; but immediately, I saw a ministry being birthed. I have a medical background, so doing research and understanding what I was reading was okay for me. However, I also know that plan wouldn’t work for men who didn’t have a medical background, @MEDIAPLANETUSA

PHOTO: ZERO

When Tony Minter was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, he was 50 years old and had been monitoring his PSA with his doctor since he began testing at 40.

After his diagnosis, his doctor encouraged him to do his own research and eventually his medical team landed on treatment.

and they would be lost and frustrated.

It was at that point that I decided I wanted to be an advocate for men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and to provide support and education for them and their families. I was so passionate about it that I sought out organizations that would support this effort. I found two awesome organizations: US Too International, and ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer. @FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH

My journey hasn’t been easy, but being affiliated with ZERO has made it much better.

The amount of resources that were available to me, and the ability to partner with them as an advocate has made a huge impact on my life. When I discovered the ZERO Summit and attended for the first time, I knew that I was locked in and planned to attend each year.

At the ZERO Summit, there were education classes, the opportunity to meet other men and their families who were on the prostate cancer

journey, materials from vendors on new and emerging treatments and technology, and most of all, the privilege to go to Capitol Hill to advocate for funding for prostate cancer research.

I felt like my story was worth being heard and that I could influence the decision of our legislators to work in our favor and secure this much needed funding. Every year that I have attended, we have been successful in receiving level funding or an increase.

Becoming a part of ZERO was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The opportunity to be a mentor (as part of ZERO’s MENtor program) and to help men in my community and beyond has been tremendous and impactful. The resources that are available meet so many of the needs of the newly diagnosed and survivors, as well as their families.

My journey hasn’t been easy, but being affiliated with ZERO has made it much better. I look forward to sharing much more in future posts.

Be on the lookout for more of my incredible journey. n Tony Minter, Prostate Cancer Patient, ZERO – End of Prostate Cancer, ZERO Champion/Advocate

INQUIRIES: US.EDITORIAL@MEDIAPLANET.COM AND US.ADVERTISE@MEDIAPLANET.COM

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Publisher Victoria Melland Business Developer Joelle Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Kayla Mendez Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Kandlyn Collins Director of Content and Production Jordan Hernandez Cover Photo ESPN Images All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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e’ve all heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” Did you know that choosing the right “superfoods” may help your prostate?

This might not make a lot of sense until you understand something called chronic inflammation. Some inflammation in your body is normal, such as in response to an injury, like an ankle sprain or a cut on your finger. But when inflammation occurs in response to certain factors in our daily lives — such as a poor diet — it is called chronic inflammation. Researchers are now discovering that lifestyle factors can put you at risk for many chronic diseases, including advanced prostate cancer. How? Chronic inflam-

Diet, Inflammation, and Prostate Health

mation can damage cells and DNA in ways that can lead to cancer growth.

Imagine chronic inflammation to be like an actual flame. You can fan the flame with bad habits. Or you can extinguish it with a few healthy lifestyle changes like

exercise and eating more superfoods. That’s good news for your heart and bad news for prostate cancer.

What’s a superfood? As described in PCF’s guide, “The Science of Living Well, Beyond Cancer,” superfoods for fighting prostate cancer are brightly

colored (because they are high in phytochemicals like carotenoids and anthocyanins), unprocessed and high in fiber (to support immune-boosting “good” gut bacteria), and rich in vitamins (like A, C, and E, which are antioxidants).

Consider tomatoes. Their

bright red color comes from lycopene, an antioxidant that can protect cells from damage. Lycopene accumulates in the prostate, which may help explain why researchers have linked tomatoes to a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

A bonus tip: cooking tomatoes loosens the bonds in their cell walls, making it easier for the body to access the powerful antioxidant and send it to the prostate. Better yet, cooking them in olive oil helps the body absorb more cancer-busting lycopene.

To learn more, check out the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s wellness guide The Science of Living Well, Beyond Cancer or visit PCF.org. n

Prostate Cancer Foundation SPONSORED

One in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.

While it’s a serious disease, it’s not always deadly. More than 3 million men in the United States, who have been diagnosed, are still alive.

Early detection through doctor exams and PSA blood tests means more men can get diagnosed and treated sooner. If PSA tests are elevated after prior treatment, a doctor may request additional tests, like PET imaging or an MRI, which evaluate the likelihood of cancer in a given region. Blue Earth Diagnostics was the first to market with an FDA-approved PET diagnostic imaging radiopharmaceutical to detect and localize recurrent prostate cancer.

“Diagnostic imaging has helped us to identify patients

The Importance of Imaging for Prostate Cancer Patients who are not only at risk of recurrent prostate cancer, but more specifically, those men who are at risk of aggressive recurrent disease,” says Brian T. Helfand M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Urology at Ronald L. Chez Family and the Richard Melman Family Endowed Chair of Prostate Cancer.

Dr. Helfand, who’s also a clinical professor at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, says that distinction is important because men with aggressive

recurrent prostate disease should be treated, and those men with lower risk or less aggressive types of tumors should be followed over time, under “active surveillance.”

Diagnostic imaging helps doctors with that surveillance, which is important since prostate cancer has a recurrence rate of 30 percent or higher.

“In the past five-plus years, diagnostic imaging has really changed the bar of how to manage patients who have prostate cancer recurrence,” he says.

Silent killer Landi Maduro knows firsthand the importance of early detection. Her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago. Now 72, his prostate cancer is still under active surveillance.

“With diagnostic imaging, they can identify the extent of recurrent disease,” she says.

At the time of her father’s diagnosis, Maduro, an African American filmmaker, had recently started shooting a documentary about prostate cancer. Her film partner’s

father and brother were diagnosed with the disease.

The filmmakers learned Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer compared to men of other races. Their award-winning film, “The Silent Killer: Prostate Cancer in the African American Community,” breaks the taboos and stigmas surrounding prostate cancer.

“I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re alone in dealing with prostate cancer,” says Maduro, who encourages men to be their own advocates and reach out for support. n Kristen Castillo

To learn more, visit blueearthdiagnostics.com

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Protecting Prostate Health Is Partnership Between Patient and Physician When it comes to early detection of prostate cancer, informed, shared decision making is essential so people understand the benefits and risks of screening.

Health decisions work best when they are made as a partnership between patient and physician. Doctors follow the latest research and expert recommendations. Patients are their own best advocates and can communicate their comfort level with known and unknown risks of screening and treatment. Guidelines provide starting points to help

find the best fit for each individual. When it comes to early detection of prostate cancer, informed, shared decision making is essential so people understand the benefits, as well as risks, of screening.

In the United States, males have a 1-in-8 chance of eventually being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and a 1-in-41 chance of dying from it. Fortunately, death rates have fallen by 52 percent from 1993-2018, largely thanks to early detection and improved treatment.

Prostate cancer early detection programs using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for healthy people can

turn up both slower- and faster-growing disease. There are recommended methods for reducing unnecessary biopsies and over-diagnosis, particularly for patients with mildly elevated PSA levels.

PSA testing for healthy, informed individuals is currently recommended at age 45-75 for average risk people and age 40-75 for those in higher-risk groups. Those higher-risk groups include: • People with inherited genetic mutations (e.g. BRCA2) • Family history of cancer (especially metastatic prostate cancer, breast

cancer diagnosed by age 45, and ovarian cancer) • Black/African-American men Black men have a higher incidence of prostate cancer, increased prostate cancer mortality, and earlier age of diagnosis. There are data showing that the highest contribution to prostate cancer treatment and mortality disparity is due to lower rates of screening and treatment for Black men. Genetic contribution is a very small percentage of the increased risk.

Additionally, it’s important that anyone with a prostate, regardless of their gender

identity, have PSA screening discussions with their doctor.

Healthcare is personal.

Screening for prostate cancer can be life-saving, however, it can also lead to unnecessary anxiety, distress, or intervention-related side effects. Communication between patients and healthcare providers is key to make sure the right persons receive the appropriate screening to safeguard their health. n Kelvin A. Moses, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, Associate Professor of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Preston C. Sprenkle, M.D., Associate Professor of Urology, Yale University School of Medicine

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A Non-invasive Test to Assess Your Risk of Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men and 1 in 8 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men and 1 in 8 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.

This year alone, almost 250,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Men aged 40 and above

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need to take charge of their health and understand what testing options are available.

Prostate specific antigen, or PSA, remains the most common test for screening for prostate cancer, but PSA is not very specific and can be affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), infection, age, medications, and even bicycle riding.

This lack of specificity has led to over-detection of men that were not at risk of clinically significant prostate cancer, resulting in biopsy which can lead to complications such as

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incontinence, sexual dysfunction, bleeding, and infection.

An effective test The ExoDx™ Prostate (EPI) Test can help the prostate biopsy decision.

The EPI test is a simple, non-invasive urine test and doesn’t require a digital rectal exam (DRE). It is designed to provide a personalized risk score to help a man and his physician determine the risk of aggressive prostate cancer if prostate biopsy is performed.

The EPI test is proven to give

confidence to defer or proceed to a prostate biopsy.

The test can be ordered by any physician and is now available as an At-Home Collection Kit. One patient says, “I’m 61 and my PSA stays between 6–6.5ng/mL. I discussed the pros and cons of getting a biopsy with my doctor, and then learned about the ExoDx test. We decided to get the test. My result came back below the cut-point, and now he doesn’t want to see me for six months!”

Learn how you can take charge of your prostate health today. n Grannum Sant, M.D., Massachusetts Urologist

Ask your doctor about the ExoDx Prostate test or visit exosomedx.com/ patients/exodxprostate-test

Why ESPN Anchor Brian Custer Wants More Men to See Their Doctors When sports commentator Brian Custer was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 42, he felt like he was wearing a scarlet letter on his back.

“To be totally honest with you, I was embarrassed,” said 50-year-old Custer, an anchor for SportsCenter on ESPN. “I really didn’t want anybody to know.

I had always been so healthy. I participated in sports, I worked out, I was the healthiest person in the family.”

Now, he knows the power of speaking out about his personal experience with cancer. Custer, who is Black, wants to use his platform as a public figure to encourage more men, including men of color, to get regular checkups at the doctor, including a PSA blood test if needed.

Custer received an initial warning sign of his diagnosis in the form of a PSA test result at a health fair for work. The result was over the threshold of four, a number that may signal prostate cancer. A subsequent digital rectal exam and a biopsy confirmed he had prostate cancer.

The diagnosis saved his life.

A top surgeon removed his prostate in a way that allowed him

“You’re doing it for your spouse. You’re doing it for your children,” Custer said.

“That’s the way I look at it, and that’s what I always try to tell men: It’s bigger than you.”

to avoid some of the side effects that men who undergo prostate cancer treatment experience.

Those side effects may include incontinence and erectile dysfunction, according to the American Cancer Society.

If men aren’t motivated to see their doctor regularly, he encourages them to go for their families.

“You’re doing it for your spouse.

You’re doing it for your children,”

African American Men at Higher Risk for Many Health Issues

PHOTO: ESPN IMAGES

The reason why prostate cancer is more prevalent in African American men is unclear, yet it may be due to socioeconomic, environmental, diet, or other factors.

Custer said. “That’s the way I look at it, and that’s what I always try to tell men: It’s bigger than you.”

Overcoming difficult emotions like those was the biggest challenge of Custer’s journey with prostate cancer, he said. “What you come to realize is cancer is really a fight mentally more than it is physically,” he explained.

“And so you have to really get your mind right that, A. I’m going to beat it, and B. I’m going to be all right and live a long, healthy life.

And once you get that mindset, things will look up for you.”

Indeed, research shows that although African-American men are two times as likely to die of low-grade prostate cancer than white men, that risk is still small.

Overall, the average five-year survival rate for a man diagnosed with prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The averages fall shortly at the 10- and 15-year marks to 98 and 95 percent, respectively.

“Just know that you’re going to be okay,” Custer emphasized.

“Prostate cancer is a cancer that is treatable as long as you catch it early.” n

African American men have, by far, the highest incidence of prostate cancer compared to men of other ethnicities.

One in 6 African American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and they are more likely to get prostate cancer at an earlier age. They are also more likely to have aggressive tumors that grow quickly, spread, and cause death. The reason why prostate cancer is more prevalent in African American men is unclear, yet it may be due to socioeconomic, environmental, diet, or other factors.

Men with a family history of prostate cancer also face a higher risk of developing the disease. A man is 2-3 times more likely to get prostate cancer if his father or brother had it. This risk increases with the number of relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer. The age when a close relative was diagnosed is also an important factor.

Being proactive Staying on top of routine health checkups and screenings, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, can be hard enough within busy day-to-day life. But African American men fall into a high-risk group for a myriad of health concerns including prostate cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, so it is of great value to check for these concerns on a routine basis. Download the free “Health Screenings Every African American Man Should Know” poster to learn more about basic health numbers and screenings to help African American men keep their health in check. As well as showing key timelines, this free download also reviews health numbers that can be helpful when speaking with your doctor(s) about the best health plan for you.

Please download this checklist and share it with your loved ones. Knowing your risks and being proactive will help you take steps toward leading a healthier life.

Brian Keith McNeil, M.D., Chief of Urology, The University Hospital of Brooklyn

Melinda Carter

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Implore Health Equity in Prostate Cancer Research The Center for Black Health & Equity was created out of the need to address health disparities such as those seen in prostate cancer.

P

rostate cancer is the leading type of cancer found among Black men. In fact, African American men die from it at a rate 120 percent higher than white men. Preventative measures and adequate medical treatment have made it possible for people to live longer, healthier lives; yet when we look at statistics pertaining to Black people diagnosed with prostate cancer, that is not entirely true.

The Center for Black Health & Equity was created out of

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the need to address health disparities such as those seen in prostate cancer. They identify experts such as the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) and partner with them to uplift the mission of reducing health inequities among African Americans.

There are over 300 million Black men in the United States today, according to the latest census, and 1 out of every 5 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This cancer tends to be discovered at later stages and be more aggressive in Black men. Even then, all

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treatment options are not always available or explained to the patient in order to help them make a proper decision.

“This long list of disadvantages can be addressed in several ways,” said Delmonte Jefferson, executive director for The Center. Early detection screenings are essential; the sooner you know, the sooner you can get help if needed.

Many groups will suggest that men start screening in their late 50s, but PHEN and similar organizations suggest that Black men should start screening around the age of 40.

There are many unknowns when it comes to prostate cancer, so research studies and clinical trials are ongoing. Because Black men are often not included in important clinical trials, PHEN proudly conducts clinical trial rallies where they encourage Black men to participate. Proper representation in clinical trials helps improve treatment efficacy and reduces the mortality rate of prostate cancer among Black men.

Above all, advocating for one’s own health and others can greatly change the course of a diagnosis. Organizations,

including PHEN provide easy guides and resources online to prepare patients and families with the facts. Understanding the need for early screening and opportunities to participate in clinical trials will vastly improve the lives of Black men and their families; getting us closer to achieving true health equity.

Visit www.prostatehealth. org to access those resources and learn more. n Chelsey Sellars, Communication Specialist, The Center for Black Health & Equity

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How the Right Supplement Can Support Prostate Health Prostate health should be a priority for men of all ages — luckily, there’s a supplement that can provide support.

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hy do so many men deal with prostate troubles? The answer may surprise you. Because the prostate gland continues to grow all through a man’s life, and because the urethra runs right through the prostate gland, the issue is structural. Prostate gland enlargement, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is common after age 50.

If you’ve noticed symptoms like difficulty starting to urinate, waking up many times at night to urinate, and being unable to completely empty the bladder, read on.

Eating a wide variety of brightly colored vegetables and fruits, getting daily body movement, and having regular prostate screenings, including a PSA test, can keep the prostate healthy. Some traditionally used plant ingredients show promise for reducing symptoms as well.

Supplement routine The nutraceutical supplement Pros-T by LifeSeasons combines evidence-based doses of those botanicals and other key nutrients to support normal urine flow, prostate function, and tissue integrity.

“The ingredients in the Pros-T formula contain natural ingredients that are nourishing and supportive to the function of this important gland,” says

increase in volume and intensity of urine flow, as well as not having to urinate as often during the night.

Langston recommends taking the supplement — two capsules with food every morning — consistently, every day.

Jamie Langston, a registered nurse, certified clinical research professional, and chief research officer at LifeSeasons.

The product’s ingredients include saw palmetto berry extract, one of the most wellknown herbs for prostate health, along with plant compounds like beta-sitosterol, Swedish flower pollen, and nettle leaf. Pros-T also includes vitamins D3 and B6 and the minerals zinc and selenium, which are often deficient in those with prostate issues.

“The combination of beta-sitosterol and Swedish flower pollen is both effective and backed by published research on BPA,” says Sarah Burden, LifeSeasons’ vice president of education.

“Being able to reduce nighttime

trips to the bathroom improves quality of life for anyone suffering from prostate issues, including their spouses. In fact, many of the letters we receive are from the wives of men who have had their symptoms reduced by this formula.”

Alternative to pharmaceuticals BPH is often treated with pharmaceuticals, which help relax the neck muscles of the bladder and muscle fibers in the prostate to help improve urinary flow. These drugs block and inhibit receptors and enzymes associated with relieving prostate symptoms.

There are many drugs to treat BPH, and Flomax (tamsulosin) is the most prescribed.

Side effects of these drugs may include decreased sex drive, abnormal ejaculation, extended and painful erection, weight gain, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, weakness, blurred vision, and more.

Langston says studies show that saw palmetto is, “just as effective as Flomax in decreasing urinary flow issues in BPH.” She says saw palmetto does not block or interfere with the body’s natural processes and has very few side effects. The biggest symptom is nausea, which can be reduced or eliminated when taken with food.

Pros-T’s effects are usually noticeable after one to two months, but some people experience a difference within one to two weeks, including

The right dose “You want effectiveness. It really is that simple,” says Langston. “I know my patients wouldn’t know that 320 mg of saw palmetto berry extract is considered the effective dose, so I love that LifeSeasons looks to science and builds the formulas with effective, research-backed dosages of multiple ingredients,” she says. “The synergy of ingredients provides greater health benefits without pushing the upper limits of safety.”

“Not all supplements are created equal, and not all companies are putting in a full therapeutic dose of a given herb,” says Burden. “When customers use Pros-T, they know they’re getting the right dose.” n Kristen Castillo

Pros-T is available at retailers like Sprouts and Whole Foods, as well as online. Find out more at lifeseasons.com/ product/pros-t-prostatehealth-supplement

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