Education session is Thursday
Visiting urologist Dr. Joel Slutsky will present an overview on the prevention, early detection and treatment of prostate cancer Thursday at 7pm at Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital.
The presentation is being made in support of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
According to Dr. Slutsky, prostate cancer is the most common form of non-skin cancer in the US with one in six men developing the disease in the course of his lifetime. It is also the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men, with statistics being very similar for Cayman.
‘A little-known fact is that a man is 33 per cent more likely to develop prostate cancer than a woman is to get breast cancer. Early detection is key,’ explained Dr. Slutsky.
‘Nearly 100 per cent of men diagnosed with the disease while it is still in the early stages are still alive five years from diagnosis. However, there are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer until it is further advanced. This is why screening is so critical.’
Dr. Slutsky has been a visiting specialist at the Chrissie Tomlinson since December 2003. During this time he has diagnosed 10 Cayman residents with prostate cancer.
Earlier this year the hospital purchased the necessary equipment to make brachytherapy (the implantation of radioactive seeds into the prostate that kill cancer cells) available.
‘Since obtaining the brachytherapy equipment, I have given treatment to three men. I would like to see Grand Cayman become a regional centre of excellence in the Caribbean for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.’
To register for the education session on prostate cancer, call Sarah Diggle at 949-6066.
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