Thank You for Supporting David's Cure Challenge 2010.
Adam S. Kibel, MD
Professor of Urology and Genetics
Director of Urologic Oncology
Division of Urologic Surgery
Washington University
How the funds are used:
A letter from Dr. Kibel
January 27, 2011
To Mr. and Mrs. Cash Nickerson
Dear Cash and Evie:
Your generous support through the David H. Nickerson Foundation is already paying tremendous dividends. I've outlined below some of the projects that the David's Cure Challenge is enabling us to pursue. The overlying theme of these projects is to improve the lives of men with prostate cancer by increasing our cure rate and decreasing suffering from the disease. Before giving you some of the complexity of all the projects, let me simply say – thank you. We could not be doing it without you!
Last year, I told you about some of our work with the Genome Sequencing Center. In collaboration with this world-class institution embedded in Washington University, we are looking for the genetic finger print that causes prostate cells to become cancerous. So far, we have sequenced the compete genome of two patients, and are confirming the mutations found in 100 patients. Most importantly, our findings will be shared with the medical oncologist who will determine if we can use this information to develop targeted therapy for that specific mutation. Personalize medicine is the direction of the future of cancer therapy, and we are on the leading edge.
We are also moving forward with a large-scale project that looks at how the DNA we are born with contributes to cancer and how environment influences that risk. Your support is helping us examine 1,000 patients for a "DNA signature" for an aggressive cancer indicator. We know that diet can play an important role in prostate cancer risk. This study will help us identify ways to counsel men that they can change their diet and live longer without prostate cancer.
We are also trying to improve our treatment of patients who have the disease. In collaboration with WU's Institute for Public Health, we demonstrated that obesity and lack of exercise together contribute to risk of incontinence following prostate surgery. We are busy confirming these initial findings and hopefully in the future will be able to make recommendations to decrease this life altering complication.
It is important to note that 2010 was a seminal year of the treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Two new drugs (Carbazitaxel and Provenge) were approved by the FDA which doubles the number of FDA drugs available for our patients. There is a third drug (Abiraterone) which we believe will be approved in 2011. We participated in these trials and our pleased that all the hard work is yielding some fruit. We will continue to seek innovative treatments for our patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Thanks again for your support. We greatly appreciate your belief in our work.
Sincerely,
Adam S. Kibel, MD
Holekamp Family Chair in Urology
Professor of Urology and Genetics
The Siteman Center
The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is an international leader in patient care, cancer research, prevention, education and community outreach and a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center.
What is your risk level?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among US men. It's not always life threatening, but it forces many men to weigh the risks and benefits of its treatment.
To estimate your risk of prostate cancer and learn about ways to lower that risk, click on the link below:
The Prostate Cancer Questionnaire
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer and it is the second leading
Timetable for a Cure.
cause of cancer death in men. Lung cancer is the first. One man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, and 1 man in 35 will die of this disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that there were approximately 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2010. An estimated 32,050 died in 2010.
Prostate cancer is caused by changes in the DNA of a prostate cancer cell. A small percentage (about 5% to 10%) of prostate cancers has been linked to inherited traits and other cancers may also be linked to higher levels of certain hormones.
While we do not yet know exactly what causes prostate cancer, we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease.
Risk factors for prostate cancer
Age: Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up quickly after a man reaches age 50.
The PSA Blood Test
PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a substance made by the prostate gland. Most healthy men have levels under 4 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) of blood. The chance of having prostate cancer goes up as the PSA level goes up. If your level is between 4 and 10, you have about a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer. If it is above 10, your chance is over 50%. But some men with a PSA below 4 can also have prostate cancer.
Factors other than cancer can also cause the PSA level to go up, including:
• BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), a non-cancerous swelling of the prostate that many men get as they grow older.
• Age: PSA levels go up slowly as you get older, even if you have no prostate changes.
• Prostatitis: an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland
• Ejaculation can cause the PSA to go up for a short time, and then go down again.
Not all doctors agree on how to use these new PSA tests. You should talk to your doctor about your cancer risk and any tests that you are having.
DRE (Digital Rectal Exam)
The DRE is less effective than the PSA blood test in finding prostate cancer, but it can sometimes find cancers in men with normal PSA levels. For this reason, ACS guidelines recommend that when prostate cancer screening is done, both the DRE and the PSA should be used.
Race
For unknown reasons, prostate cancer is more common among African-American men than among men of other races. Prostate cancer occurs less often in Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino men than in non-Hispanic whites. The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are not clear.
Nationality
Prostate cancer is most common in North America, northwestern Europe, and a few other places. It is less common in Asia, Africa, Central and South America.
Family History
Prostate cancer seems to run in some families. Scientists have found several inherited genes that seem to raise prostate cancer risk, but they probably account for only a small number of cases overall.
Diet
Men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products seem to have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer. These men also tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables. Doctors are not sure which of these factors causes the risk to go up.
Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?
Because we don't know the exact cause of prostate cancer, it is not possible to prevent most cases of the disease. But some cases might be prevented.
Diet: While the results of research studies are not yet clear, the ACS suggests eating less red meat and fat and eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon are rich in substances called lycopenes. Lycopenes help prevent damage to DNA and may help lower prostate cancer risk. Scientists have found some substances in soybeans that may help to prevent prostate cancer. Research on this is still going on.
Vitamins
Some studies suggest that taking vitamin E daily may lower the risk of prostate cancer. Selenium, a mineral, may also lower risk. On the other hand, vitamin A (beta-carotene) supplements may actually increase prostate cancer risk. Before starting any vitamins or other supplements, you should talk with your doctor. Although many people believe that vitamins are natural and cause no harm, recent research has shown that high doses may be harmful. One study found that men who take more than 7 multivitamin tablets per week may have an increased risk of developing advanced prostate cancer.
Medicine: A study of the drug finasteride (Proscar) found that men taking the drug were less likely to get prostate cancer than men taking a placebo ("sugar pill"). The drug can cause side effects such as lower sex drive and trouble getting an erection. The results of the study will become clearer over the next few years. Other drugs that may help prevent prostate cancer are now being tested in clinical trials.
American Cancer Society Recommends:
ACS believes that doctors should discuss the pros and cons of testing with men so each man can decide if testing is right for him. If a man chooses to be tested, the tests should include a PSA blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam) yearly, beginning at age 50, for men at average risk who can be expected to live at least 10 more years.
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