Bayer Healthcare and Vantage Oncology to Host "A Community Conversation on Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Education"

Los Angeles, CA – In its continued efforts to increase awareness about the prevention, early detection and treatment of prostate cancer, Bayer Healthcare and Vantage Oncology hosted “A Community Conversation on Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Education” on Saturday, November 21 at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles.

Open to the public, 91 men received free prostate health screenings (prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing) provided by Vantage Oncology’s Los Angeles center, heard educational presentations by survivors, health professionals and caregivers, including remarks from NFL Hall of Famer Michael Haynes, who is also a prostate cancer survivor and spokesperson for the national Know Your Stats About Prostate Cancer® Campaign. Haynes, who is committed to sharing the message of early prostate cancer detection, discovered he had prostate cancer during a 2008 screening event conducted by the Urology Care Foundation and supported by the National Football League (NFL) Player Care Foundation. Now a prostate cancer survivor, he speaks on behalf of the Foundation, encouraging men to talk with their doctors about getting tested for this deadly disease.

“Before I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I had no idea I was at risk for this deadly disease,” explained Haynes. “Now, as a cancer survivor, I feel the need to educate others about prostate cancer – the more people who know my story, as well as their risk for prostate cancer, the more we can raise awareness and save men’s lives.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015, 220,800 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 27,540 will die from the disease. With the help of early detection and advanced surgical and radiation therapy treatments, more than 2.5 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today.

Prostate cancer is often diagnosed following an initial screening through a digital rectal examination (DRE) and a PSA blood test. An elevated PSA level in the blood stream may indicate prostate cancer, but not always. Therefore, if either the DRE or PSA is abnormal, additional tests including ultrasound or urinalysis are conducted before a prostate biopsy is performed.

Vantage Oncology’s physicians strongly advise men to talk about risk factors, family history, and personal health with their primary care doctor to determine the best prostate health recommendations. Bayer Healthcare and Vantage Oncology reminded patients that early detection is key to improving treatment outcomes for those diagnosed. “For men over 40 and who have a family history of prostate cancer, they should initiate a conversation with their physician so that they can create a plan of attack about when and how often they should be screened,” added Dr. Lewinsky.

The event’s sponsors included Bayer Healthcare, Vantage Oncology, Us Too, California Prostate Cancer Coalition, California Hospital Medical Center and West Angeles Church of God in Christ.

Vantage Oncology owns and operates more than 50 cancer treatment facilities in 13 states. Our network of affiliated physicians and partnered medical groups including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and hospitals provide exceptional care through a comprehensive team approach to treating cancer.