Once a month, the Simms/Mann–UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology presents Insights Into Cancer, a free public lecture series for cancer patients, their families and the community. Each lecture features a leading professional who provides up-to-date information, practical advice and answers to cancer-related questions. 

July 10, 2012
Surveillance Versus Treatment for Prostate Cancer

In 2011 more than 200,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Most men currently diagnosed will not suffer from the disease and yet many are receiving invasive treatments. It has been firmly established by an autopsy study that many men, who lived full lives, died from other causes and were believed to be prostate cancer free, actually have small cancer spots in their prostates that were never symptomatic or related to their deaths. The older the man is, the more likely his prostate is to contain one or more of these insignificant cancer spots. For these men, active surveillance may be the best approach. Active Surveillance refers to the organized follow-up of men, who on the basis of biopsy findings, are believed to have 'low-risk' prostate cancer, i.e. small, bland tumors unlikely to soon, if ever metastasize or cause symptoms. Until recently, prostate cancer, unlike other major cancers, has proved difficult to image when confined to the prostate. However, recent advances in MRI technology are allowing visualization of localized prostate cancer in many cases and this is enhanced with ultrasound-guided biopsy via a new device known as Artemis (Greek goddess of the hunt), currently in testing at UCLA. These strategies and their role in active surveillance are discussed along with current treatment approaches, thus opening up a wider range of options for men with a cancer diagnosis of the prostate.

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Insights Into Cancer lectures are held in the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Auditorium, B Level, Room B130, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

UCLA parking is $11 and is wheelchair accessible. Attendees can park in the medical plaza, or take advantage of the valet parking at the front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.