After a two-year hiatus, the Grand Forks prostate cancer support group has been reorganized and resumes its monthly meeting schedule at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Aurora Medical Park facility, 1451 44th Ave. S.
The session will be held in the second floor cafeteria. Take the elevator located in the main floor lobby entrance. You also will be directed.
Dr. Williams Noyes of the North Dakota Cancer Center will discuss "The Natural Course of Prostate Cancer Part I." At the February reorganization, members discussed a variety of prostate cancer-related topics, which will be presented by experts in those fields.
The meetings are open to all prostate cancer victims in the region as well as spouses and others.
Noyes and Dr. Steven Schultz, a urologist in private practice, will host the meeting. Schultz long was associated with the group known as "Us Too! Prostate Cancer Support."
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The group meets monthly during the fall, winter and spring before adjourning for the summer. Other popular events in the past included a Christmas party and the annual Prostate Cancer Walk in August.
More than 70 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than age 65. In 2003, an estimated 220,900 cases were diagnosed. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and watchful waiting.
During the past 20 years, overall survival rates for all stages of prostate cancer combined have increased from 67 percent to 97 percent. The disease claims about 30,000 males annually, the American Cancer Society says.
Early diagnosis is crucial in keeping the mortality rate low. Men aged 50 and older, and those older than 45 in high-risk groups, should have a prostate-specific antigen blood test and a digital rectal exam annually. One of the more curable cancers, it must be diagnosed before it spreads elsewhere in the body.
Patients of Schultz and Noyes have received meeting notice postcards. However, other prostate cancer patients who aren't on the mailing list are welcome to attend. There is no fee or dues to attend. Besides the presentation, there will be a question and answer session plus coffee.
Koehler, a retired Herald staff writer, was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in 2003 and has undergone treatment.
