Friday , March 29 2024

Men Are Making a Comeback

Improved Cancer Treatments Can Help Extend Lives

cancer treatmentThe mystery of why women outlive men still eludes even the most noteworthy physicians, scientists, psychologists and biologists. From lifestyle to work environment, chromosomes and hormones, there’s simply too much to consider-not to mention all the faults in our DNA. Society has proven that women are more likely to seek medical advice, share their feelings with peers and even ask for directions when driving lost. To make matters worse, when it comes to injury, pain and health, men are taught at an early age to just “walk it off”.
Cancer is a different problem and can be a great equalizer between men and women. However, there are some cancers that are more rare with men (such as breast cancer), and those that are technically impossible for women (prostate cancer). Though more recent awareness campaigns claim to have the answer as to how and what age to begin screening, there is truth in early detection, which gives medical professionals more time and treatment options to beat it.
With radiotherapy, cure rates are similar to those who opt for surgery. However, patients who undergo radiation are spared the risks of surgery, such as bleeding and infection. Furthermore, most patients undergoing radiation therapy are able to enjoy their normal daily activities during treatment.
Because prostate cancer only affects men, more has to be done to help them. It is the second leading cause of cancer death for men after lung cancer but is treatable and highly curable. With those statistics, who knows if it is having an impact on life expectancy? InterCommunity Cancer Centers (lCCC) of Leesburg and Lady Lake use a complementary technology to radiotherapy called Calypso – “GPS for the Body®”. The investments ICCC have made in innovation gives men in their local communities improved odds through access to state-of-the-art treatments that are closer to home.
The key to treating prostate cancer is to resolve any organ movement during treatment. In clinical studies, the prostate was seen to move unpredictably and variably, patient to patient and minute to minute. This prostate movement is due to normal bodily functions, such as gas passage through the rectum, urine filling the bladder and breathing.
Unlike other systems, Calypso helps to continuously monitor the prostate’s position and slightest movements in real-time throughout treatment, which offers more accurate radiation delivery to the cancer, maximized treatment benefits and minimized potential damage to nearby tissues or organs. Prostate movement is signaled by three electromagnetic Become transponders-each the size of a grain of rice and permanently implanted within the prostate gland. These transponders send electromagnetic waves that allow physicians to pinpoint precisely the location of the prostate using X, Y and Z coordinates as it moves during treatment.
Dr. Herman Flink, Radiation Oncologist at ICCC, understands through decades of experience the complexities of treating the prostate. “My patients who have undergone radiation using this system find confidence and reassurance in knowing that GPS for the Body® is providing guidance to manage any possible prostate motion during the delivery of radiation therapy. Early stage prostate cancer is a very curable disease, and this technology allows me to deliver radiation therapy accurately to maximize the opportunity for cure and minimize any chance of complication and side effects. GPS for the Body® suits our goals of curing the patient’s cancer, while maintaining an excellent quality of life”.
The Experience of Inter Community Cancer Centers
ICCC has 25 years of cancer-fighting experience, having treated over ten thousand patients; they empower patients to have the confidence they need to change their lives. Radiation Oncologists, Drs. Hal Jacobson, Herman Flink and Bobby Harrison, bring exceptional expertise in treating breast, lung, prostate, gynecologic and other cancers.
As part of a larger, nation-wide oncology group of physicians and specialists under Vantage Oncology, the oncologists at ICCC have access to aggregated clinical information and best practices from the treatment of more than 1000 patients per day nationwide, enabling them to develop highly-effective and peer- collaborated treatments. This gives many of the centers that work with Vantage, including ICCC, the ability to offer university-quality treatment services in smaller and more rural areas. It gives local communities exceptional services closer to home and in a non-hospital setting. Learn about treatments and technologies at www.lCCCVantage.com.
About Vantage Oncology
Vantage Oncology offers a complete development, implementation and management solution for radiation oncology practices. It provides ownership opportunities that empower physicians to maintain control of their practice while leveraging the strength of the company’s network and clinical resources. A multi-disciplinary management team is committed to continuously raising the standards of cancer care. Vantage provides patients and their families with ultimate peace of mind through its commitment to clinical excellence and superior outcomes. Visit www.VantageOncology.com.

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