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The Prostate Cancer Survivor's Guide
New Post-Prostate Cancer Care Guidelines Issued by the American Cancer Society Echo the Longstanding Tradition of Follow-Up Care by Robotic Prostate Surgeon, David B. Samadi, MD
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jun 17, 2014) - This month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) delivered the first-of-its-kind detailed survivorship guidelines for post-prostate cancer men and their physicians. With highly effective treatment options such as robotic prostate surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy, the prostate cancer recovery odds are very good for most. But until now, fragmented information for maintaining a prostate cancer-free life after treatment made it difficult for patients to feel in control of their own recovery.
As a leading New York robotic prostate surgeon, David Samadi, MD, Chairman of Urology and Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, stresses the importance of a post-treatment protocol to all patients. With collaborative care, most of his Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique (SMART) Surgery patients enjoy excellent quality of life results in prostate cancer recovery, urinary continence, and sex after prostate cancer.
"I'm pleased to see the ACS's focus on life after prostate cancer," said Dr. Samadi. "Even with the success of robotic surgery, patients need to anticipate the physical and emotional recovery process and be vigilant about long-term surveillance of primary and secondary cancers."
The goal of the Prostate Cancer Survivorship Care Guidelines is "to promote comprehensive follow-up care and optimal health and quality of life." The guidelines provide valuable information for patients, as well as recommendations for care coordination between the patient's oncology team and general physicians.
The prostate cancer guidelines, developed from extensive review of prior studies, are organized into five main categories:
Health Promotion - counseling on the key aspects of nutrition, obesity, physical activity, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol consumption
Prostate Cancer Surveillance - suggestions on the timing and frequency of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectal exams (DREs)
Secondary Cancer Awareness - details for monitoring symptoms, side effects, and early detection of secondary cancers, particularly for men who underwent radiation therapy for prostate cancer
Physical and Psychosocial Management - treatment-specific guidelines for assessing and managing issues with urinary, bowel, and sexual function after prostate cancer, as well as the emotional and psychological impact of prostate cancer and potential treatment of side effects. This section also includes surveillance of cardiovascular, metabolic, and bone health.
Care Coordination - recommendations for the transfer of patient care from the patient's prostate cancer specialist to the primary care coordinator, including the importance of collaboration across all clinicians, peer support resources, and family members.
"The new guidelines will become a valuable tool in the patient education process," Dr. Samadi added. "The more patients know before and after treatment, the better equipped they are to make decisions and take an active role in their long-term wellness."
The published guidelines are available online in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21234/full
