Robotic Surgery and Prostate Cancer Treatment Expert Dr. David Samadi, MD Discusses National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated one in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. "Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and is currently the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States," said Dr. David B. Samadi, a robotic prostatectomy and prostate cancer treatment expert at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Now during National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Samadi, who is also the Chief of the Division of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Department of Urology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, encourages all men to get screened for the deadly disease.

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National Prostate Cancer Awareness is observed during the month of September, since former President George W. Bush first proclaimed it in 2002. The importance of education on this disease has reached dramatic proportions with President Barack Obama considering lighting the White House blue during September nights in commemoration of the month's observance. In New York, the Yankees partnered with a prostate cancer charity to provide free screenings for men aged 40 and over attending their evening game.

Similarly, a handful of Hollywood buildings will be also lit in blue for a week in recognition of the awareness, including the Capitol Records Building, Paramount Studio's Melrose Gate and Water Tower, the historic Roosevelt Hotel and the Ramada of West Hollywood. Additionally, many health centers will be offering free prostate cancer screenings. "The severity of the disease and its prevention is rapidly catching on nationwide," said Dr. Samadi, "And with so many resources and so much education available, there is no reason why any man should go unscreened."

Dr. Samadi, who has performed over 3,000 successful robotic prostatectomies in his practice, suggests getting yearly Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal exams at age 50.

For those with a family history of prostate cancer, screenings are recommended at a younger age.

Additionally, Samadi offers these prostate cancer and screening facts:

• The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown and the cancer growth is unpredictable
• It is more common among African-American men than white men, who are twice as likely to die of the disease
• Prostate cancer occurs less often in Asian men than in whites
• Age is a risk factor with many men older than 65 years of age developing cancer
• It is rare in men younger than 45
• Men age 75 years and older have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.
• Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk
• The risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis increases with body weight
• High levels of the male hormones, androgens, increase prostate cancer risk
• Some men with high levels of the hormone IGF-1 are also very likely to get prostate cancer
• Typically, prostate cancer does not exhibit any symptoms
• If there are symptoms, they may include urinary and erectile problems, blood in the urine or semen, frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs, loss of bladder or bowel control and an enlarged prostate gland that may or may not be indicative of cancer
• Vitamin A supplements may increase prostate cancer risk
• Preventive measures include a diet of less red meat and fat and more vegetables, fruits and grains
• Foods that are rich in lycopenes may help prevent damage to DNA and lower prostate cancer risk

SOURCE RoboticOncology.com