September 16, 2011

This article was submitted by John Coleman, who was present at the Riverside Community Hospital Prostate Event September 8th.

Riverside Community Hospital and Riverside Medical Clinic Foundation hosted a special program in partnership with the American Urological Association Foundation and the coaches and players of the National Football League. An audience of 175 from throughout the Inland Empire: men,their wives and other family members came to learn about prostate cancer from doctors who treat it, and from two outstanding athletes who were affected by it.

Ron Brown, who grew up in Los Angeles, wowed the home-town crowd when he was a LA 1984 Summer Olympics Gold-Medal winner in the 400 meter relay, and then went on pleasing them with his play as a wide receiver for the L A Rams and Raiders. He told of the NFL 'Know Your Stats' program for educating men to talk with their doctors about 'getting checked' for preventing prostate cancer, and that the American Urological Association recommends that being checked for prostate cancer could begin at age 40 and older, particularly for African American men, and others with a family risk of the disease.

Kermit Alexander grew up as a member of a large family in New Orleans, and losing many members to cancer has been part of their tragedies. He moved to Los Angeles, where he was a star athlete at UCLA, played in the '68 Pro-Bowl for the San Francisco 49ers' early in his NFL career,before switching to the LA Rams (1971-73). An outstanding athlete all his life he spoke of reaching the age where prevention of cancer becomes more timely, particularly as he and his wife, Tami, adopted and are raising the brothers and sister of the little boy they already were in process of adopting when the earthquake devastated life in Haiti. They live and are active here in the Inland Empire.

Dr Alex Bata, Urologist at the Riverside Medical Clinic has long been educating about prostate cancer. He originated the RMC Prostate Support Group which was among the first in the area meeting monthly for the past 20 years. Dr Bata presented information and pictures about what the prostate is, its part in men's bodies, cancer of the prostate and the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test.

Dr Ralph A Highshaw, Urology & Urologic Oncology, current Medical Director for the Prostate Support Group, reviewed the several established therapy methods (conventional, proton and other 'conformal' radiation beam approaches,open,laparoscopic and Da Vinci-robotic surgery, and forms of hormonal therapy and 'watchful waiting'. The DaVinci Surgical System unit was on display so anyone in attendance could see, touch, and even 'work' it to better understand how it benefits patient recovery.

Sharon Nelson, staffed the Americaan Cancer Society booth with free literature on tobacco cessation, dietary and food preparation guidelines, activities and exercise systems, preventive screening services, and other research-based ways to reduce the risk of cancer by 2/3rds, and to increase the potential for cancer prevention.

Cherie Russell of Riverside Community Hospital facilitated the question and answer session for Doctors Bata and Highshaw, as a member of a large group from the Good News Baptist Church, Riverside, hears the response to her question.