TEXAN MEN
SURVIVING CANCER
STATE OF HEALTHThe health news is good. Advances are being
made, but the fight against cancer wages on.
ADVERTISEMENTGood news, the overall cancer death rate in the United States declined
26 percent from 1991 to 2015, decreasing 1.8 percent per year among men
from 2006 to 2015. Also, the number of cancer survivors is expected to
increase from 15.5 million in 2016 to 20.3 million in 2026. Breakthroughs in
medical technology aligned with patients following preventative strategies
to avoid major risks are contributing to these encouraging statistics.
The state of Texas is blessed with the best medical support system in
the country, with more than 400 hospitals. Dr. Steve Paulson, president and
chairman of the board at Texas Oncology, has been a practicing medical
oncologist for more than 37 years. “We have 54 full service cancer centers
across the state, and we treated about 63,000 new cancer patients in 2018,”
says Dr. Paulson. “We believe that you shouldn’t have to travel a long
distance to a big city to get high quality, advanced cancer care.”
Dr. Andrew Lee, medical director for Texas Center for Proton Therapy,
specializes in genitourinary cancers, with the majority of those cases involv-
ing men with prostate cancer. Dr. Lee is an advocate for regular screening.
“For the average patient, without genetic risk factors, having a conversation
with your primary care physician at age 50 makes sense,” says Dr. Lee.
“For men with a family history of cancer, you should definitely think about
getting screened in your 40s.”Although research tells us that men resist
seeking medical care when they’re sick and in
pain, early detection of any chronic disease can
make a huge difference. “We tell patients if you
have pain or a symptom that lasts more than
three days, and you don’t have an explanation
for it, you should get evaluated,” says Dr. Paul-
son. “Men need to be aware of what can hurt
you, to listen to what their body is telling them.”
While some medical conditions are genetic in
nature, there are preventable risks that Texan men
can learn to avoid. “No tobacco products, exercise
regularly, watch your diet, avoid unnecessary sun,”
says Dr. Paulson. “Anything you do, including
alcohol, do it in moderation.”
“There is a lack of awareness among some
Texan men, thinking it’s going to happen to
someone else,” says Dr. Lee. “Whatever medical
condition it is, whether it be cancer, heart
disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, early
detection and early intervention is always in the
best interest of the individual.
“My message for Texan men would be to
think of your body like the automobile you
drive,” he adds. “Our bodies require attention,
preventative maintenance, and sometimes they
require a repair. Screening for cancer is not an
arduous task, and it might just save your life.”S
Texas Center for Proton Therapy offers the most advanced proton
treatment for cancer in Texas.TEXAS MONTHLY 91