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

Tim Pierce, living with prostate cancer

• Tim was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, it was metastatic by 2017, and in 2023 he first came to The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
• He had treatment that included a new chemo treatment with a pill and a “heat-seeking missile” of radiation that targets the cancer.
• The side effects were a lot less than what he expected – fatigue and loss of appetite.
• Day-to-day life today is going surprisingly well and he is able to do his normal activities.
• He is complimentary of the treatment and the team who takes care of him.

Dr. Rahul Parikh, genitourinary medical oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• Screening plays a very important role in diagnosing patients with prostate cancer.
• The PSA level should be less than four. If someone has a higher level, or if a lump is felt on an exam, that’s a reason to have a biopsy.
• We were focused on improving Tim’s quality of life and extending his life with this new treatment.
• The FDA approval in 2022 of this new treatment changed the game for how we target prostate cancer cells.
• It is a highly specific treatment for prostate cancer.

Dr. Elizabeth Wulff-Birchfield, genitourinary medical oncologist; medical director, Palliative and Geriatric Oncology Services, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• Using radioactive treatments needs to be highly monitored and administrated by experts, but they have been demonstrated as safe and effective.
• Controlling cancer in a comprehensive way helps patients live better.
• We have so many ways to help people with cancer live rich, long lives and the advancements in medicine are only getting better.
• Clinical trial participation really sparks that innovation.
• Prostate cancer screening is recommended to start as early as age 40 or 45 for high-risk individuals.

Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. is the next Open Mics with Dr. Stites. Learn more about how one woman thought brain fog was tied to possible Alzheimer’s, when it was actually related to her kidneys.

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