Kansas City, Kan- Key points from today’s guests:

Morning Rounds – Updates on Latest News

Kristy Brown, Ph. D., co-leader, Cancer Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• A new study shows that 80 percent of lives saved since 1975 are due to screening and prevention.
• The study focused on prevalent cancers with clear prevention and early detection strategies.
• There was a significant impact of smoking cessation on lung cancer deaths.
• Potential future success stories on cancer prevention may be centered around HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening.

Melissa Javellana, M.D., gynecologic oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• New draft guidelines allow patients to collect their own sample for cervical cancer screenings.
• Overall, the data so far is very promising that women can successfully collect a sample to get an accurate HPV test.
• This is not a traditional PAP smear that a physician would collect for you, it’s just looking at HPV.
• This is similar to doing a home swabbing test for COVID. The average start for screening should happen between 21 and 29 and every three years.
• It is an additive test and not a replacement for regular in-person exams.

Focus Topic

Steve Stites, M.D., chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System; executive vice chancellor, The University of Kansas Medical Center

• For many men, a prostate cancer diagnosis can bring fears, primarily about survival, but also about quality of life and sexual function.
• This candid conversation could help end the stigma of not discussing it and ultimately help someone.
• We all have to have delicate conversations sometimes and this is one of them because our health is so important.

William Parker, M.D., urologic oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• The nerve tissue that controls erectile function is attached to the prostate. Any time we treat prostate cancer, we are doing something to that tissue.
• A nerve-sparing procedure is when we try and spare as much of that tissue as possible in order to preserve future sexual function, but it’s not a guarantee.
• About 85 percent of men who have good function to begin with will recover function long-term.
• Age and co-morbidities like diabetes have a huge impact on recovery.
• There are a number of tools that have been developed to help address dysfunction.
• PSA screenings improve your mortality rate, so get your PSA screening.

Jake Fantus, M.D., urologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• The satisfaction rate after these surgeries is between 96-98 percent.
• Complication rates range from 1-5 percent depending on the patient characteristics.
• One of the big misconceptions about prostate cancer is that it may cause sexual issues.
• Prostate cancer is a disease that has no symptoms and that is why screening is so important.
• ED is an almost ubiquitous condition and almost 80 percent of men by their 70s or 80s have it, so it is important to seek medical advice earlier, rather than later.

Greg Nawalanic, Psy.D., clinical psychologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• Western culture tends to place so much value on masculinity, so issues like this can be a psychological challenge.
• Any shame is largely self-imposed, because we feel like we have to measure up to other men.
• The feeling of not having control can be problematic for many. Remember, this is only one element of a relationship.
• Often in therapy, we grieve the loss of the former self and try to welcome the new identity and acknowledge the feelings. Avoidance is not a healthy coping skill.
• The more information you can get about this, the better, so ask questions and get the proper mental health help you need.

Infectious Disease Updates

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• Overall, the national numbers for flu, RSV, and COVID are increasing and we are seeing slight increases at the hospital as well.
• Prevention is still key. It’s not too late to get vaccinated and the data is showing great effectiveness in keeping people out of the hospital.
• Other prevention tips include proper handwashing and boosting your immune function by getting good sleep with good diet and exercise.

Thursday, Dec. 19 at 8 a.m. is the next All Things Heart. As we are in holiday party season, hear about how drinking more than usual for just one night can do to your heart.

ATTENTION MEDIA: Please note access is with Microsoft Teams:

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 235 659 792 451
Passcode: 6CSfGE

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 913-318-8863,566341546#   United States, Kansas City

TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI

Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital

YouTube.com/kuhospital

Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.