All meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month from
7:30 - 9 p.m. in the McNamara Center of Via Christi - St. Joseph Campus,
3600 E. Harry, Wichita, Kansas. Light refreshments provided.
A volunteer coordinating committee of prostate cancer survivors
arranges presentations by area professionals regarding treatment of all
areas of prostate cancer and side effects. Men concerned about prostate
cancer, their spouses, and other adult family friends are encouraged to
attend. Man to man sharing is available to help anyone find answers to
particular concerns.
Upcoming Meetings
November 14
"Incontinence – A Side Effect of Prostate Cancer and its Treatment" - presented by Urologist Sanford Fitzig, M.D., FACS, Wichita Clinic, Associate Professor of Surgery at Kansas University School of Medicine - Wichita (KUSM-W). Incontinence is a subject that has involved most every man treated for prostate cancer. Dr. Fitzig will address various options to treat this discomforting problem.
December 14
"Swine Flu" You Don’t Have to be a Hog, to Get It - presented by Dr. James A. Jackson, PhD, from The Center For The Improvement Of Human Functioning International (The Bright Spot for Health). Dr. Jackson received distinction as International Orthomolecular Doctor of the year in 2008. Swine flu is a mutated H1N1 virus with a genetic shift. This flu appears after the normal flu season: March, April, and May. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated "Swine Flu" as a pandemic flu in June, 2009. It is spread by the usual respiratory droplets and can in some cases cause death. Dr. Jackson will explain how the virus lives, spreads, kills, and how it can be detected and prevented. The importance of this subject cannot be over-emphasized.
2010 Meetings
January 11
"MEDICARE - The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment and Changes to how Medicare Beneficiaries get their Durable Medical Equipment" - presented by Sarah Taylor of the Sedgwick County Extension Service. Ms. Taylor has experience in Health, Physical Activity, Caregiving, and Senior Health Insurance in her role of overseeing Adult Development & Aging for the Sedgwick County Extension Service.
February 8
"Let’s Talk Prostate Cancer!" - It is time for a round-table discussion to learn more about each other, how we are dealing with any issues as the result of our having been diagnosed with and/or treated for our prostate cancer, addressing concerns, offering each other remedial suggestions to discuss with our physician, and carrying out the "SEA" of our Us TOO Prostate Cancer Education and Support organization SEA-Blue color to Support, Educate, and Advocate.
2009 Meetings
January 12
"Hope..." An inspiring message of Hope to patients and caregivers facing the
obstacles of prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and its side effects.
Presented by Ken Short, retired pastor and co-founder in 1994 of our Wichita
chapter of the international Us TOO network.
February 9
"Building Community Support for Prostate Cancer - How do we take the breast cancer model and apply it to prostate cancer?" presented by Peggy Johnson, Executive Director/CEO Wichita Medical Research & Education Foundation. Peggy Johnson was a past Chair-Elect and Chairman of the Board for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the largest breast cancer organization, during a period of substantial growth and development.
March 9
"Use of Radiation Therapy as Definitive Management in the Setting of
Recurrence of Prostate Cancer Disease” - presented by Grant Rine, M.D.,
of the Radiation Oncology Dept. of Wesley Medical Center.
April 13
"A report on Robot assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RLRP) since Installation at Via Christi St. Francis Medical Center" - Presented by Drs. Greg Byrd and Joseph Akornor of the Wichita Urology Group.
May 11
“Dietary Supplements A to Z – What Works and What’s Worthless” - This is an excellent presentation made at the 2008 National Conference on Prostate Cancer by well known physician Mark Moyad of the University of Michigan Medical Center. The primary author of over 100 medical articles, Dr. Moyad is the editor-in-chief of the medical journal “Seminars in Preventive & Alternative Medicine” by Elsevier. He is an editor or regular reviewer for numerous medical journals. Dr. Moyad is the author or co-author of five books, and he has maintained a consulting practice in Preventive and Alternative Medicine for the last 10 years.
June 8
“An Aggressive Approach to Metastatic Disease; Diagnosing and Treating Oligo-metastasis” - a presentation made by Dr. Charles E. “Snuffy” Myers, a internationally renowned Medical Oncologist specializing specifically in prostate cancer research and treatment. Dr. Myers is particularly well known and sought out for his expertise in treating advanced prostate cancer. This will be an excellent and interesting DVD rendering of Dr. Myers presentation to the 2008 National Conference on Prostate Cancer.
July 13
“CyberKnife – State-of-the-Art Technology in Radiation Therapy” presented by Jon Anders, M.D., Radiation Oncologist, and Mitchel McKee, B.A. RT®CV, Medical Director, Radiation Oncology, Via Christi CyberKnife Center. The CyberKnife is a unique technology in radiation therapy that can precisely target hard-to-reach and often previously inoperable tumors anywhere in the body. Despite its name, the CyberKnife does not use a scalpel; it targets tumors with concentrated photon beams. Via Christi’s innovation brought this technology to Wichita in 2006. This will be an important and interesting presentation regarding the use of CyberKnife in the treatment of prostate cancer.
August 10
"Our Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Subsequent Treatment" - panel presentation by Chapter members Al Murphy (Intensity Modulated Radiation and Brachytherapy Seed Implant Therapy), Chuck Maack (Radical Prostatectomy, External Beam Radiation, Androgen Deprivation Therapy), Tom Hankins (Radical Prostatectomy), and Paul Classen (Originally Gleason 6 but with Active Surveillance, nutrition, and exercise, prostate cancer disappeared). Come listen and ask questions of these panel members.
September 14
“Prostate Cancer Prevention and Prostate Massage” - presented by Dr. Dennis Scharenberg of Scharenberg Chiropractic. Dr. Scharenberg is particularly well known in Kansas for his success in treating children/infants experiencing colic, which he provides as a free community service. What is not well known, however, is his interest in the prostate, in treating BPH (enlarged prostate) by decreasing inflammation and swelling through the use of nutritional supplements and digital massage, and in prostate cancer prevention.
October 12
"An Open Forum With The Doctors" - The following physicians have kindly accepted our invitation: Medical Oncology: Dr. Bassam Mattar, Cancer Center of Kansas; Urology: Dr. Greg Byrd, Wichita Urology Group; Radiation Oncology: Dr. David Bryant, Via Christi Cancer Center; and Pathology: Dr. Dwight Oxley, Retired, former Director of Pathology, Wesley Medical Center. Rarely do patients have the opportunity to address questions to a panel of physicians with expertise in the various treatment options involved with prostate cancer. This will be an opportunity to meet and submit written questions in advance that will be passed to the appropriate physician or the panel at large to address. We encourage all to attend. Write down your questions ahead of time and hand them in at the meeting. Even if you do not have questions, the issues addressed promise to be interesting and educational.
2008 Meetings
January 14
"The role of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy in the treatment of Prostate Cancer" - presented by Gregory F. Byrd, M.D. Dr. Byrd and Dr. A. J. Farha, both of the Wichita Urology Group, now provide this advanced and less invasive surgical prostate cancer treatment option with the recent installation of the robotic instrumentation added to the many treatment options made available by Via Christi Medical facilities.
February 11
"PC 101 – Diagnostics & Staging" - a DVD presentation from the 2006 International Conference on Prostate Cancer by Medical Oncologist Charles E. "Snuffy" Myers, a well-recognized expert specialist in the international prostate cancer community in research and treatment of prostate cancer. (This is a re-schedule of the topic for the cancelled December 10, 2007 meeting cancelled due to inclement weather)
March 10
Healthy Eating – Proper Nutrition at Home and Dining Out – presented by
Hilary Meister, Public Health Educator, Sedgwick County Health Department.
Nutrition is an important health issue not only for those dealing with cancer, but
for general health. Diabetes, Cholesterol, Heart, Cancer, all health issues that
require nutrition and diet concern.
April 14
"The Role of Medical Oncology for Prostate Cancer" - presented by Medical Oncologist Bassam Mattar of the Cancer Center of Kansas. Dr. Mattar is well known by many of our chapter members as a soft spoken, caring, and interested physician regarding our concerns. He has made several presentations regarding Medical Oncology and prostate cancer in the past and has always been supportive of our chapter. Dr. Mattar keeps himself up-to-date on treatment, medications, and ongoing trials to insure we patients experiencing advanced disease receive appropriate care.
May 12
"Bladder Outlet Obstruction and Incontinence Issues in Men" – presented by Urologist Sanford Fitzig, M.D., Urology Department of Wichita Clinic. Incontinence issues plague most prostate cancer patients. Dr. Fitzig will explain the several treatment options available to counter these issues.
June 9
“Investigate Before You Invest" - presented by Dr. Bonnie Lynch, Investor Specialist from the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, a state Regulatory and law enforcement agency. This is off-topic from prostate cancer, yet a very important subject to educate us on precautionary measures to recognize unscrupulous con artists in order to avoid investment fraud and abuse.
July 14
"Primary Intermittent Testosterone Deprivation" - a DVD presentation by Stephen B. Strum, M.D., FACP, a Medical Oncologist who has specialized Specifically in Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment for the past 25 years. Dr. Strum is co-author of the exceptional book, "A Primer on Prostate Cancer - The Empowered Patient's Guide," the "Prostate Cancer Bible" for thousands of advocates and patients. This presentation was made at the 2007 National Conference on Prostate Cancer.
August 11
"Staging, Risk Management and Active Surveillance" - this is another excellent
DVD presentation from the 2007 National Conference on Prostate Cancer and is
presented by Medical Oncologist Mark Scholz, President of the Prostate Cancer
Research Institute (PCRI).
September 8
"Impact of Supplements" - a DVD presentation from the 2007 National Conference on Prostate Cancer presented by Medical Oncologist Charles (Snuffy) Myers. Regards anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, Vitamin D, Mediterranean Diet, fish, tomatoes, wine, pomegranates, and more.
October 13
COLUMBUS DAY- MEETING CANCELLED FOR HOLIDAY
November 10
"Highlights of Topics presented at the Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) 2008 Conference on Prostate Cancer held in Los Angeles this past September 6th and 7th" presented by chapter member and Prostate Cancer Advocate Charles (Chuck) Maack
December 8
“The Wichita Branch of the American Cancer Society – Dedicated to Provide Education and Support to the Community Regarding All Forms of Cancer” Presented by Jennifer Kelley, Community Manager, Health Initiatives.
