Prostate Cancer Expert:

Despite Controversy, PSA Test Still Best Weapon

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month spotlights California as home to the highest number of sufferers

Walnut Creek, CA (August 25, 2011) -- Recent controversy over prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for middle-aged men does not diminish the critical importance of a health test that spares thousands of lives annually, says an expert who practices medicine in a state where more men die of prostate cancer than in any other.

With September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Stephen Taylor of Concord-based Pacific Urology says that with one in six men developing the disease and an estimated 25,000 males affected in California annually, according to the American Cancer Society, men cannot afford to dismiss the PSA test regardless of critics’ charges.

No one is more of a believer than survivor Alfred Diggs of Concord, one of more than 240,000 men affected by the disease each year. A high risk patient of African American descent, Alfred Diggs pursued annual PSA testing at age 35. When he was diagnosed at 55, he underwent a prostatectomy and remained cancer free for 11 years. He was recently found to have recurrent prostate cancer and is undergoing radiation, but explains he is confident in overcoming the disease. Working diligently to promote prostate cancer awareness for the past ten years, he helped develop the first American Cancer Society speaker’s bureau, creates presentations and trains ACS organizations.

“The more people know about prostate cancer, the more we can save people from prostate cancer. It hasn’t been an easy road, but I am happy to be here and celebrating life,” says Alfred.

Statistical data shows that all men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a relative 5-year survival rate of nearly 100 percent and a relative 10-year survival rate of 91 percent. To improve your health and prevent prostate cancer, Dr. Taylor has shared five simple steps to follow. To learn more, join prostate cancer survivors and Dr. Taylor at the Pints for Prostates event on September 7th (details below).

Five Steps to Prostate Cancer Prevention:

1. Test Annually

Men should undergo annual prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test screenings and digital rectal exams (DRE) starting at age 50 or earlier. High risk patients such as African American men and men with a first degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age should begin testing at 35-40.

2. Listen to Your Body

If you notice unexpected changes in your health, be diligent in addressing them. A change in the frequency, urgency and pressure during urination, painful urination or the presence of blood in urine is a warning sign. Painful ejaculation, blood in the semen and erectile dysfunction as well as bone pain and pelvic discomfort are additional warning signs.

3. Regulate Diet & Alcohol Intake

Eat healthy, balanced meals rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Some studies show that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and mackerel), soy products, legumes, drinking green tea and getting Vitamin D in your diet may reduce cancer risk. Limit yourself to no more than two drinks per day as studies show that regular heavy drinking increases prostate cancer risk.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Quite simply, a healthy body can fight disease. While a direct link between obesity and prostate cancer has not been established, obesity may affect hormone levels related to prostate cancer risk as well as increase the risk of dying from prostate cancer.

5. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise keeps your body healthy and in shape. It is recommended to do at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to seven times per week.


To learn more about prostate cancer prevention, join us at the Pints for Prostates event to raise awareness. There will be a brief 15 minute discussion about prostate cancer awareness and prevention with Dr. Stephen Taylor of Pacific Urology, Dr. Sachin Kamath of Diablo Valley Oncology and prostate cancer survivor Alfred Diggs.

Pints for Prostates Event:

About Pacific Urology

With clinics in Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Brentwood, San Ramon, and Livermore, Pacific Urology is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s largest urology practices. Pacific Urology restores urologic health for men, women and children through treatment of various health issues such as prostate cancer and treatment, vasectomy and vasectomy reversal, kidney stones, bladder and kidney cancer, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, infertility and more. Pacific Urology was formed over 16 years ago and is comprised of Dr. Jeremy Lieb, Dr. Stephen Taylor, Dr. Judson Brandeis, Dr. Brian Hopkins, Dr. Parminder Sethi and Dr. Donald Hay. Pacific Urology has won numerous awards for patient satisfaction and offers a combined expertise of nearly a century of collective experience in urologic health.