21^st Century Oncology Physician presents new treatment for Prostate Cancer to the American Urological Association

 (Fort Myers, Fla. –May 31, 2011) – Dr. Constantine Mantz, chief medical officer of 21^st Century Oncology, presented an emerging treatment for early stage prostate cancer at the American Urological Association annual meeting  in Washington D.C. on May 15  and 16. More than 20,000 surgeons, urologists, radiation oncologists and researchers from around the world attended the five day symposium. 

 The development of stereotactic radiosurgery, a sophisticated form of radiation therapy, has opened up new possibilities for the non-invasive treatment of prostate cancer.  Dr. Mantz’s research on stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) uses imaging and beam-shaping technology to compress the typical two month course of radiation therapy down to only five visits over the course of two weeks.

 According to Dr. Mantz, stereotactic radiosurgery is showing promising results. “SABR may enable improved outcomes while maintaining, if not further reducing, the already low complication rates that we have seen with earlier advances in prostate cancer.” 

The SABR study, conducted by Dr. Mantz, is also the first time that stereotactic research has been combined with the Calypso 4D Localization System.  The Calypso system is a real-time tracking system used to monitor any slight movement of the prostate during radiation therapy to ensure the cancer is receiving the full effect of the radiation while preventing damage to nearby healthy tissue and organs.  Dr. Mantz has conducted previous research with the Calypso system that has proved it reduces the side effects of radiation therapy.  His research in this area was published in Urology, the journal for the International Society of Urologists.

“Prostate cancer is, unfortunately, a very prevalent disease in our society. That is why continued research is so important,” Dr. Mantz says. “It’s an honor to present our research findings at national symposiums and to inform the medical community about these advancements in treatment.”

 About 21st Century Oncology

Headquartered in Fort Myers, 21st Century Oncology, Inc. is a leading developer and operator of radiation therapy centers in the U.S. For 30 years, 21st Century Oncology has been committed to providing premier, quality, cost-effective radiation therapy services that are responsive to the needs of its patients through continuous improvement and innovation. The company operates in 16 states and has more than 20 offices in Southwest Florida.

Research of investigational medication for prostate cancer underway

Patients now being enrolled at Florida Urology Physicians

Fort Myers, Fla.  (April 6, 2011) --- In an effort to enhance survival and quality of life in men suffering from prostate cancer, doctors at Florida Urology Physicians are evaluating the role of a new method of suppressing cancer growth.

Prostate cancer cells are stimulated by the male hormone testosterone, which men naturally produce.   Suppressing testosterone in a constant fashion can treat prostate cancer; however, this often diminishes quality of life by causing a loss of sexual interest, impotence, hot flashes, decreased mental ability, fatigue, and even depression.

In an effort to evaluate the role of an investigational medication to allow men to live years or decades with fewer side effects than current therapies, a study is being conducted by Dr. Barry Blitz of Florida Urology Physicians.  To qualify, men must have been treated for prostate cancer and now have a rising Prostate Specific Antigen test (PSA).  This investigational medicine is FDA approved for successfully treating prostate cancer, and study participants can receive study-related exams, lab tests, and study medications at no charge.  Participants are also compensated for their involvement.

For more information, contact Pam Battle, research nurse at Florida Urology Physicians, 239-689-8800.

About Florida Urology Physicians

Florida Urology Physicians offers quality, comprehensive urologic care in a sensitive, supportive, and friendly environment. The medical practice physicians include Ira Zucker, M.D., Brian Schwartz, M.D., Barry Blitz, M.D., Steven Harrison, M.D., Bert van Beever, M.D., and Veronique Fernandez-Salvador, M.D.

The physicians treat every specialty of urology and are dedicated to providing patients with the finest medical and surgical treatments, and consistently incorporate the latest advancements in medicine in their patient’s evaluation and treatment. Florida Urology Physicians works closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure the most effective treatment plan. Offices are located throughout the southwest Florida area in six convenient locations in Fort Myers, East Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs and Punta Gorda. Florida Urology Physicians is a division of 21st Century Oncology, LLC.

Nationally renowned prostate cancer advocate to visit Southwest Florida with message of responsibility and activism

 Fort Myers, Fla.  (March 17, 2011) --- Ask just about anyone and they can tell you a pink ribbon signifies breast cancer support and October is a month dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research, education and treatment.  

Mention prostate cancer though, and you will likely get a blank stare if you ask about a specific ribbon color and a month dedicated to raising awareness and funds.  (It’s a blue ribbon and September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month each year.)

Bob Samuels, a prostate cancer survivor and founder of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition and Florida Prostate Cancer Network, uses this antidote as just one example of the difference between two types of cancer responsible for almost the same number of new diagnoses and deaths each year. 

“Florida is number two in the nation for new cases of prostate cancer due to our older population,” says Samuels.  “A trend that will no doubt continue as a significant part of our economy relies on importing age.”

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2010 an estimated 14,000 men in Florida will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.  An equal number of women in Florida will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  Nationally, 217,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 32,000 men will die from the disease this year.  Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, and second in terms of the number of deaths behind lung cancer.

“Men need to begin taking responsibility for their own health beginning in their late teens, early 20s,” says Samuels.  “Young women learn from an early age the importance of regular check-ups and taking responsibility for their health, while young men learn more about taking care of their cars than they do their bodies. We need to begin changing our culture.”

Samuels will bring his message of advocacy and activism to Fort Myers on March 22 while speaking at the quarterly meeting of urologists and radiation oncologists affiliated with the Prostate Cancer Institute. 

Despite being second in the nation for the number of new prostate cancer cases each year, Florida falls far behind other states in terms of research and awareness.  “We need more collaboration between researchers, physicians and patients,” says Samuels.  “We need more focus and information on clinical trials so men with prostate cancer don’t have to leave the state for treatment.”

In addition, Samuels says patients need to become more educated and active in raising awareness of prostate cancer.  “Men need to learn from the women who initiated and now sustain the breast cancer movement,” according to Samuels. 

Samuels closing message to men when it comes to prostate cancer, “The best defense is education and awareness.  Ignorance will kill you.”

About Bob Samuels

Mr. Samuels is a passionate advocate in the fight against prostate cancer.  A two-time cancer survivor, after first being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1994 he formed the National Prostate Cancer Coalition after discovering there was very little information and few resources dedicated to the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.  He has lobbied Congress repeatedly for increases in prostate cancer research funding and has played a key role in getting the state of Florida to recognize prostate cancer as a serious disease to be addressed as part of public policy.  

Positions held by Mr. Samuels include:

Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition

Founding Chairman of the Florida Prostate Cancer Network Inc.

Former member National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Prostate Cancer Progress Review Group

Consultant, Food & Drug Administration’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC)

Former member NCI Consumer Advocates in Research & Related Activities (CARRA)

Former patient representative to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)

Former Co-Chairman of The Florida Prostate Cancer Task Force

Former Board Member of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

Former Member of the U.S. Army’s Prostate Cancer Research Panel

For more information visit:  http://www.bobsamuels.com

About The Prostate Cancer Institute

Established in 2010 The Prostate Cancer Institute offers information and treatment resources for men with prostate cancer in Southwest Florida.  A multidisciplinary team of urologists, oncologists and radiation therapists located in more than 20 offices throughout Southwest Florida work together to enable men and their families to make informed decisions as to the best course of treatment for their individual situation.  For more information visit:  http://www.MensCancerCenter.com

 Interviews with Five Local Cancer Specialists to Air Nationally

(FORT MYERS, FLA. February 27, 2011)—Five local cancer specialists have been chosen to appear on national broadcasts of the award-winning medical show, “American Health Journal.”

The physicians first filmed their segments for the local showing of “American Health Journal,” which airs at 11 a.m. Sundays on WINK TV. After reviewing the content of the segments, the show decided to feature the physicians nationally in markets such as Gainesville, Houston, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Knoxville and Palm Springs.

Drs. James Orr, Edward Grendys and Fadi Abu Shahin with Florida Gynecologic Oncology will appear on the television show the week of March 7 through 13 to discuss advancements in gynecological cancer care.

Drs. Orr, Grendys and Abu Shahin are gynecologic oncologists who provide women with access to the latest treatment advancements and technologies for the best possible outcomes in the treatment of gynecological cancers.

Radiation Oncologist Dr. Constantine Mantz will be featured on “American Health Journal” the week of March 21 through 27 to talk about new treatments and technologies for prostate cancer. Dr. Mantz will discuss the benefits of Calypso Medical’s GPS for the Body®. Calypso’s GPS for the Body is a real-time tracking system that detects any slight movement of the prostate during radiation therapy to ensure the cancer is receiving the full effects of the radiation while protecting adjacent healthy tissue and organs.

Dr. Mantz, the director of research for 21st Century Oncology, was the lead author on a research study about the Calypso system that showed a reduction in the side effects of radiation therapy when the Calypso system was part of the treatment. The study was published in Urology, the journal for the International Society of Urologists.

“The treatment options and advanced technologies now available to treat cancer are light years ahead of what we had to work with 20 years ago,” Dr. Mantz says. “Cancer is a continually evolving disease, and we have to work constantly to keep up and provide better and better treatment options for our patients.’

Dr. Rie Aihara, a general surgeon and Medical Director of Regional Breast Care, a division of 21st Century Oncology, appeared on “American Health Journal” the week of Feb. 21 through 27 to discuss technological advancements in the treatment of breast cancer. Dr. Aihara focused particularly on the new diagnostic imaging technology that can detect breast cancer at even earlier stages.

“Breast cancer is one of the top two most diagnosed cancers in women, but it is very treatable if it’s caught early. Making women and men aware of their options for detection and treatment is critical to safeguarding their health,” Dr. Aihara says.

For more than 20 years, “American Health Journal” has been interviewing physicians about the latest medical treatments and technologies and even following the physicians into their workplaces to see how they interact with patients and staff. More than 3,000 physicians nationwide have been interviewed for the show.

About 21st Century Oncology

Headquartered in Fort Myers, 21st Century Oncology, Inc. is a leading developer and operator of radiation therapy centers in the U.S. For 30 years, 21st Century Oncology has been committed to providing premier, quality, cost-effective radiation therapy services that are responsive to the needs of its patients through continuous improvement and innovation. The company operates in 16 states and has more than 20 offices in Southwest Florida.