Dr. Sabra Slaughter had no idea he had cancer until results from a yearly physical surprised him. His early stage prostate cancer brought fear, uncertainty and life-saving decisions. MUSC experts did what they do everyday - they worked together as a team to heal him. As an executive at MUSC, a father and a husband, Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D., is used to making decisions. But when prostate cancer caught him by surprise, choosing treatment became a matter of life and death. A 54 year-old African-American male, Sabra knew he was at high-risk for prostate cancer. When he went for his annual physical last year, he felt fine. But a simple blood test revealed what Sabra's body was hiding. "My life was business-as-usual," says Sabra. "But I had prostate cancer." Dr. Kathleen Wiley, Sabra's MUSC primary care physician, referred him to a urologist. After confirming the diagnosis with a biopsy, Dr. Thomas Keane, chair of MUSC Urology Services and a prostate cancer expert, outlined treatment options. "We caught Sabra's cancer in its early stages, giving him the most treatment options," says Dr. Keane. "No one therapy is suited for everybody. It is an individual's choice." After Dr. Keane educated him on the benefits and possible side effects of surgically removing the prostate (known as a prostatectomy), Sabra visited Dr. Andrew Turrisi, an MUSC radiation oncologist. MUSC offers the latest advancements in radiation therapy, an alternative for Sabra. "Patients need to have a clear explanation of benefit and risk from people who do surgery and radiotherapy procedures," says Dr. Turrisi. "This is a positive choice between two very acceptable options. Most admit that the long-term outlook is equivalent in terms of disease control." So how does a prostate cancer patient choose? Guided by the team of providers, prostate cancer patients must consider urinary, sexual and bowel function in the short and long term. The best treatment choice depends on cancer aggressiveness and patient qualities, such as age and overall health. "There is no option without liability," says Dr. Turrisi. "The discussion needs to focus and clarify what the patient wants as clearly as possible, but most of all to inform." "The only way to defeat prostate cancer is for all the providers to collaborate on behalf of the patient," says Dr. Keane. "At MUSC, the idea that a surgeon or radio-oncologist would treat a patient without joining forces is old-fashioned." Sabra chose surgery. He spent one-and-a-half days at MUSC, and another two weeks with the discomfort of a catheter. "It was uncomfortable," says Sabra. "But I was prepared." Prior to surgery, Sabra met with Joe Turner, a Urology Services nurse practitioner. "Joe counseled me on what to expect after surgery," says Sabra. "He worked closely with my doctors and nurses. Because of him, I felt ready and informed." A follow up with Dr. Keane one month after surgery indicated Sabra is free of cancer. "I had a difficult choice to make," says Sabra. "The collaboration of the various providers at MUSC was a significant part of the process. My doctors and nurses performed as a team. Everyone was working on my behalf." - Reprinted from MUSC's Checkup publication, Summer 2003
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