September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States.  It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men of all races and Hispanic origin populations. In 2009, the most recent year statistics are available, 206,640 men in the United States were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 28,088 men died from the disease.  The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2013 there will be 238,590 new cases of prostate cancer and 29,720 deaths.

The Mercer County Library System has several books to help you understand more about prostate cancer, including:

by Patrick C. Walsh, M.D.
Incorporating the latest advances in treatment and diagnosis, a leading urologist presents an updated, authoritative guide to prostate cancer survival. Every aspect of the ailment is covered; from its potential causes and diagnostic tests to treatment, prevention, and dealing with such sensitive side effects as impotence and incontinence.





by H. Ballentine Carter, M.D.
One of the world's preeminent prostate cancer doctors offers the authoritative and definitive guide for men of all ages for better prostate health and longevity. The Whole Life Prostate Book is the best go-to resource for everything patients and their families need to know to survive and thrive. Lifestyle choices—diet, exercise, and health maintenance—can defy prostate cancer; according to Dr. Carter, it's never too late, or too early, to start following his preventive program. Director of Adult Urology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a world-renowned expert in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate disease, Dr. H. Ballentine Carter has packed this book with wisdom gleaned from his many years in the field. Cutting through the overwhelming amount of information—and misinformation—on the topic, Dr. Carter arms men with the knowledge required to make the best decisions about prevention, testing, and treatment. In easy-to-understand language, Dr. Carter explains how to read test results and outlines all of the treatment options available for prostate cancer, from radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy to brachytherapy and Proactive Surveillance, an innovative approach pioneered by Dr. Carter and designed to preserve the prostate for life. Fearlessly tackling the problem head-on, this guide will be a lifesaver for countless readers.

by Pamela Ellsworth, M.D.
Practical answers to the most common questions asked by patients and their loved ones. Providing both doctor and patient perspectives, this easy-to-read book is a comprehensive guide to the basics of prostate cancer, risk factors and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and life after diagnosis. Written by a prominent urologist and best-selling author, 100 Questions & Answers about Prostate Cancer is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning what to expect after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
by the American Cancer Society
With greater public awareness, early detection of prostate cancer is on the rise and mortality rates are declining.  This book emphasizes that all patients should be well-informed decision makers in planning their own treatment. Covering everything from risk factors to living well after treatment, the pocket-sized reference provides critical questions to ask your health care team, is updated with the latest patient treatment guidelines, and includes an advanced dictionary of cancer-related terms.



by Ralph H. Blum and Mark Scholz, M.D.
Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers is a report on the latest thinking in prostate cancer therapy: close monitoring–active surveillance rather than surgery or radiation–as the initial treatment approach for many men. There are three stages of prostate cancer and this book provides accurate information about how to distinguish between them: Low-Risk, which requires no immediate treatment; Intermediate-Risk, which will benefit from surgery, radiation, and/or hormonal therapy; and High-Risk, a type that does require immediate treatment with a combination of therapies. In a unique collaboration, doctor and patient provide a wholly new perspective on managing this disease. Ralph Blum’s account of his personal struggle, together with Dr.Mark Scholz’s presentation of new scientific advances, gives convincing evidence that this noninvasive approach can be crucial in preventing tens of thousands of men from being over-treated every year. Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers serves as an indispensable map through the medical minefield of prostate cancer.

“Unlike more lethal cancer varieties, such as breast and lung, prostate cancer is more frequently a milder health condition, and most men live with it for decades, eventually passing away from other causes. Blum, a veteran author and 20-year prostate cancer survivor himself, gives the much-needed patient's viewpoint here, while Scholz, a board-certified oncologist, presents the medical perspective. Together, in two dozen lucid and engaging chapters, the pair offers a balanced guide to navigating through the thicket of doctors, biopsies, incontinence and impotency risks, and the latest surgical and noninvasive treatment options. An indispensable guide for newly diagnosed and aging males, and their loved ones.”—Booklist

Here's good advice based on the brave experiences of two compatible souls and medical mavericks.” –Publisher’s Weekly

By Aaron E. Katz, M.D.

One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Now Dr. Aaron Katz, founding director of the Center for Holistic Urology at Columbia University, empowers them with all the tools needed to make the most informed decisions about prostate health at every stage from prevention to post-diagnosis. Armed with Dr. Katz's expert guidance and the absolute latest information, patients will be equipped to navigate this difficult diagnosis and reclaim their health.


- Lisa S.

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