Urology Austin » Urology Austin in the News

Urology Austin Physicians Say P.S.A. Test Still Recommended for Men over 40 to Help Detect Prostate Cancer

Jeffrey Kocurek, MD — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:10:46 +0000

A few months ago we told you about the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations regarding the potentially life-saving P.S.A test. They said healthy men should no longer receive the P.S.A. blood test to screen for prostate cancer because generally speaking, it doesn’t save lives and causes unnecessary, potential side effects like pain, impotence and incontinence.

Since the recommendations, The American Urological Association (AUA) has been working tirelessly to spread the word about the value of the PSA test for prostate cancer screening and their complete disagreement with the USPSTF recommendations.

Others are following suit. On January 17, 2012, the New Jersey state legislature passed an act (AJR89/SJR77) opposing the USPSTF recommendations on P.S.A. testing. They are the first state to take this action, which guarantees coverage for the test in spite of the USPSTF recommendation, and the AUA has said they applaud them for taking this bold and decisive stand.

Urology Austin patients are still expressing some confusion over the P.S.A. screen.

We continue to tell them that the test does in fact save lives. The AUA Best Practices Guidelines recommend offering P.S.A. screenings to any male over age 40 with a 10 year or greater life expectancy. PSA screening risks and benefits should be discussed with all male patients who fit this category.

We also urge you to continue sharing your opinions with lawmakers and members of the Central Texas community about the value of prostate cancer testing. We believe men who are in good health and have more than a 10 year life expectancy should have the choice to have the P.S.A. screen and not be discouraged from taking the test.

Why do we encourage our patients over 40 to get a P.S.A. test? Just look at the statistics:

One in six men in the U.S. will get prostate cancer, making it the second most common cancer among men after skin cancer
217, 730 were diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. More than 32,000 men died from the disease
The P.S.A. test, routinely given to men over age 40, measures the protein, prostate-specific antigen, that’s released by prostate cells. There is little doubt that it helps identify the presence of cancerous cells in the prostate.

For more information, go to www.urologyaustin.com

March Madness Means More Vasectomies in Austin?

Urology Austin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:49:08 +0000

Sitting motionless in front of the TV becomes a national pastime during many of the nation’s big sporting events, including the NCAA men’s basketball tournament known as March Madness. Many men find March Madness the perfect excuse to be a couch potato and to take care of some other “business”. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the week of basketball nirvana sees a 50-percent increase in the number of vasectomies performed. Physicians at Urology Austin also see more vasectomies in Austin…in a word – huh?

Yes, it’s true. Many avid basketball fans see March Madness as the perfect time to play their own form of “zone defense” by having this simple yet highly effective birth control procedure done. It’s become such a trend, in fact, that some urologists are actively promoting it with items like sports magazines, pizza delivery deals and so forth. Actually, the reasoning behind it is sensible enough. There’s nothing like a sports tournament keep even a casual fan glued to the living room couch all day. Vasectomies are not particularly painful, but there is some swelling and men generally need a few days’ recovery time where they can sit still in a comfortable spot. What better time to schedule the procedure than just before a nice long session on the couch watching your favorite teams battle for it all?

Have you been putting off your vasectomy because you keep waiting for the “right time?” If you have any interest in NCAA basketball, that right time might as well be March Madness. If you’re nervous about any time being the right time, don’t be. A Urology Austin vasectomy is a quick outpatient procedure. The minimal discomfort you feel is easily managed with over-the-counter medication, and you’ll feel just fine after some quiet time with an ice pack and everybody’s favorite sport – watching TV!

“Like” Urology Austin’s Facebook page and tell us who you think will be in the Final 4 and the first 150 people will be entered to win a new Kindle Fire.

Dash for Dad: Running Down Prostate Cancer

Urology Austin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:07:34 +0000

The Dash for Dad 5K Run at Camp Mabry got off to a running start in its very first year. This inaugural 5K race and 1-mile walk attracted 550 participants, raising approximately $24,000 for prostate cancer research. Urology Austin was proud to host what we hope will become an annual tradition. It’s part of the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge, a national men’s health event series taking place in 27 cities this year. Dash for Dad also supports ZERO, an organization promoting health awareness and a more proactive attitude toward men’s health issues and disease prevention.

We were delighted to see so many concerned Austinites turn out, individual participants and sponsoring organizations alike. A team of 40 from the Charfen Institute took part, along with a team of 15 from the Austin Radiological Association, and we’re grateful to both organizations. We’d also like to thank the 100 volunteers who worked tirelessly to help us make Dash for Dad a success. In addition to the sponsoring organizations and volunteer help, Dash for Dad drew its share of high-profile guests. KXAN’s own Jim Swift emceed the festivities, and State Representative Paul Workman served as our honorary chair. Austin music legend Van Wilks helped promote the event through various media interviews and was on hand to walk part of the course in support of our cause.

When you consider that prostate cancer, the “silent killer,” kills a man every 18 minutes in this country, you can see the importance of events such as Dash for Dad in raising public awareness about this potentially deadly disease. We know that Dash for Dad will continue to make a difference — and we’d love to have your participation as well. Contact Urology Austin to find out how you or your organization can get involved in next year’s run.

For more information on Prostate Cancer and Treatment visit http://urologyaustin.com/

Call to Action by the American Urological Association

Urology Austin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:38:25 +0000

On October 6, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the independent group tasked with conducting scientific evidence reviews of a broad range of clinical preventive health care services and making recommendations to primary care clinicians and health systems, issued draft recommendations that downgraded the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to a “D” status. Since these recommendations were announced, the AUA has been working diligently to spread the word about the values of prostate cancer testing and our disagreement with the USPSTF position. On November 8, the AUA issued its formal comments to the Task Force. Click here to view the letter.
We’d like to thank the AUA members across the country who have taken the time to send opinions and comments to their local media outlets, members of Congress and the USPSTF. As the comment period closes for these Draft Recommendations, the challenge now shifts to the Task Force as it moves to finalize its guidance.
But the fight is far from over. As we wait for the final recommendations from the Task Force, there are still actions that can be taken. We’d like to urge you to continue sharing with lawmakers and members of your community the value of prostate cancer testing. We believe that men who are in good health and have more than a 10-15 year life expectancy should have the choice to be tested for prostate cancer and not be discouraged from doing so.
It is our hope that the hard work of the urology community will result in balanced recommendations from the USPSTF that help primary care professionals counsel patients about prostate cancer risk and help us move forward, not backward, in our fight against prostate cancer.
Full coverage of the AUA’s outreach regarding the USPSTF Recommendations about Prostate Cancer Testing can be viewed online at www.AUAnet.org/uspstf.

Dash for Dad 5K Race Results

Urology Austin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:59:44 +0000

Thank you to everyone who came out for Urology Austin’s Inagural Dash for Dad 5K. We had a great turnout with more than 500 people. Click here for the official race results:

http://www.cadencesportsonline.com/raceDirector.cfm?raceid=459.

Cancer Detection Saves Lives

Urology Austin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:49:11 +0000

Cancer detection tool saves lives
~Urologists speak out against government task force that discourages PSA screenings~

Austin, TX. – The physicians of Urology Austin along with The Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA), representing more than 1,800 urologists, encourage men to speak out to preserve prostate cancer screenings. Last week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended healthy men should no longer receive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests as part of routine cancer screening.

This decision is being made by a panel that does not include urologists or oncologists. No new research has been cited that would call for this drastic change in prostate cancer testing recommendations since the USPSTF considered this issue in 2009.

In fact, newer studies found deaths from prostate cancer dropped 44 percent among screened men over a 14-year period, when compared with unscreened men, and found screening efficiency for prostate cancer similar to other cancers.

This same task force suggested mammograms were unnecessary for women ages 40-49 and recommended against teaching women breast self exams, which was soundly rejected by Congress after public outcry.

These recommendations jeopardize the health of countless Americans and needlessly puts in harm’s way the men who are most at risk: those who are uninsured, live in rural areas (where health care is not readily available), have a family history of prostate cancer, and particularly African-Americans (who have the highest incidence of and death rates from prostate cancer). Urology Austin supports current recommendations endorsing PSA screening for well-informed men who wish to pursue early diagnosis.

Dr. Michael Floyd of Urology Austin states: “Ask any man whose life has been saved as a result of taking the PSA test, and he will tell you early detection made the real difference between life and death. He will stress the PSA test identifies cancer early, before it has spread.” Dr. Carl Bischoff of Urology Austin agrees and points out that “a decision on how best to test for and treat prostate cancer must be made between a man and his doctor.”

“The government has failed to safeguard our nation’s health,” said Dr. Raoul Concepcion, LUGPA President and Director of Clinical Research at Urology Associates, P.C. in Nashville, TN. “Early detection is critical to the success of prostate cancer treatments and these recommendations risk undoing 20 years of progress in reducing deaths from prostate cancer. Even now, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men.”

Urology Austin and LUGPA encourage all concerned citizens to contact policymakers to demand the government not restrict access to this life-saving testing.

About
Urology Austin is a group of 17 urologists practicing in the greater Austin community and Central Texas. Urology Austin provides comprehensive urologic care to both men and women. Visit www.urologyaustin.com for more information about Urology Austin.

Urology Austin is part of LUGPA which represents 95 large urology group practices in the United States, with more than 1,800 physicians who make up more than 20 percent of the nation’s practicing urologists. LUGPA and its member practices, including Urology Austin, are committed to best practices, research, data collection, and benchmarking to promote quality clinical outcomes. Visit http://lugpa.org/default.aspx for more information about LUGPA.

Hear Dr. David Freidberg discuss the recent debate over PSA Screening on the Dr. Carol Radio Sho

Urology Austin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:57:38 +0000

The Dr. Carol Radio Show contacted Urology Austin to get a local expert opinion about the recent debate over PSA screenings. To hear the short interivew with Dr. David Freidberg and hear his opinion on PSA screenings and prostate cancer, click here (12 minutes, 30 seconds into the radio clip): http://www.drcarolshow.com/DailyShows/Dr_Carol_Show_Oct_07_Hr_2.mp3

Dr. Peter Ruff on KVUE News

Urology Austin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:27:47 +0000

Dr. Peter Ruff talks with KVUE News about the dangers and growing risks of prostate cancer. Read more>>

http://www.kvue.com/news/St-Davids-offers-free-cancer-screenings-129886218.html

Are you at RISK??

Risk factors for prostate cancer include gender, age, exercise, genetics, race. These factors all play a role in men potentially developing prostate cancer.

Find out this weekend with a **Free health prostate screenings at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center on Saturday September 17 and September 24 from 9am until noon.**

Dash For Dad 5K Charity Race – 10/22/11

Urology Austin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:47:09 +0000

http://greatprostatecancerchallenge.com/races/austin/

Please join Urology Austin for its first annual DASH FOR DAD 5K Race with a Boot Camp Warm Up to support ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer. DASH FOR DAD is part of the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge®, America’s Premier Men’s Health Event Series, taking place in 27 cities in 2011.

Dr. David Phillips accepts Men’s Health Month Proclamation from Mayor Lee Leffingwell

Urology Austin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:18:48 +0000

Mayor Lee Leffingwell proclaimed June as Mens Health Month. Proclamation accepted by Dr. David Phillips on behalf of Urology Austin.

Excerpt:

All right. [Applause] thank you. Appreciate it. now we’re going to address a subject that’s very men’s health, and the first sentence is kinds of — kind of disheartening in this proclamation, talking about men have a life expectancy of six years less than women. So our objective here is to do something about that, turn that — we want to live six years more than women, right? [Laughter] well, it’s true. You know, — I think it is true. I know it’s true in my case. I’d almost rather take a beating than go to the doctor. You know, I’ve got to be forced, you know, on my deathbed, taken there on a gurney or something like that. But that is a big part of addressing health, not just for men but men and women and everybody. So that’s what this — this recognition is about. And the proclamation reads whereas, despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of six years less than women, and whereas, as a part of a congressional initiative men’s health month is focused on heightening awareness of preventible health problems and encouraging men and boys to be proactive about their health through regular medical checkups. That’s the part we don’t like, right? Exercise, and positive lifestyle decisions, and whereas, men who are educated about the value of preventive health are more likely to participate in health screenings and to recognize the importance of positive health attitudes and preventative health practices, and whereas we urge all citizens this month, especially our men and boys, to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Now, therefore, i, lee leffingwell, mayor of the city of austin, texas, do hereby proclaim june 2011 as men’s health month in austin, texas. So here to accept this david phillips to talk a little bit more about this subject. [Applause]

well, it’s certainly my honor to accept this proclamation, and in my life I usually do the proclaiming, no one listens, but it’s good to accept this from the mayor. I thank you very much. It’s my honor on behalf of urology austin, which is the company I work for, and all the men and women who participate in the care of men throughout the city, i thank you for the proclamation. This proclamation is just another exasm of our city’s — example of our city’s commitment in keeping austin as one of the fittest cities in the state, if not in the country, and i certainly admire the mayor’s fitness council and the city’s commitment to our community health needs. The purpose of men’s health month is to heighten awareness of preventible problems and to encourage early detection of treatable diseases. This proclamation gives health care providers public policy makers and the media, as well as individuals a platform to encourage men and boys to seek medical advice and early treatment about men’s health issues. I think most importantly, though, it opens up a conversation about conditions that us men are reluctant to discuss. Sometimes those guys need a little extra reminding, and you know who you are, to do what we need to do, and so i think this is an excellent opportunity to do that. Urology austin is committed to providing the austin community the most ethical and quality urologic care available, be it diseases of the prostate with the di vinci robot, be it modern therapy the operation for radiation and oncology, be it treatment of testicular cancer, which effects young and low men, or low testosterone treatment, or be it treatment of erectile dysfunction with the link to cardiac disease. These are all important diseases to be aware of and urology austin and myself are very pleased to be partnered with the city in this proclamation. Every day is men’s health day at urology austin and it’s good to see that the city is involved as well. Something that really dovetails very nicely to this is what we’re doing at urology this october. We’re doing a dash for dads and this is sort of like the komen run which is designed to bring awareness to and to earn money for the study of prostate cancer. On october 22. It would be nice to do it in june but june is hot. So october 22 is the date and it’s at camp mabry. com our web site, and if you want to participate, mayor, we expect to see you there at camp mabry, perhaps, october 22. [Laughter] or any of you-all’s friends. what are we doing?

5K run, or walk. [Laughter]

mayor lfingwell: yeah.

But most importantly, i think, we all have men in our lives so remind your men in your life to get checked and to do what they need to do. And again, thank you very much. you’re very welcome.

Appreciate it. [Applause]

I have to say this because I’ve always wanted to meet david phillips and given the fact I’m not ever likely to be one of his patients, he has an identical twin brother who is one of the greatest ob-gyn, in town who delivered both of my babies. I don’t know who your mother is but she must be so proud to have children who are doing so much for health and wellness in this town. Thank you so much. Nice to meet you.

Full transcript from the June 9, 2011 Council Meeting here.