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Background Enrollment of minorities in clinical trials remains low. Through a California population-based study of men with early stage prostate cancer, we examined the relationships between race/ethnicity and 1) attitudes, 2) knowledge and 3) willingness to participate in clinical trials. Methods From November 2011–November 2012, we identified all incident cases of prostate cancer in African American, Latino, and Asian American men ages 18–75 years, and a random sample of white men diagnosed in 2008, through the California Cancer Registry, living within 60 miles of a site offering ≥ 1 clinical trial. Participants completed a 30-min telephone interview in English, Spanish, or Chinese. In this cross-sectional population-based study, multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate associations between race/ethnicity and 1) attitudes, 2) knowledge and 3) willingness to participate. Results Of 855 participants, 52% were ≥ 65 years, 42% were white, 24% Latino, 19% African American and 15% Asian American. The majority (81%) had medium-to-high health literacy. Compared to non-Latino white men, African American men were less likely to have above average knowledge of clinical trials (OR = 0.55; CI = 0.35–0.86), as were Asian American (OR = 0.55; CI = 0.33–0.93) and Latino men (OR = 0.30; CI = 0.18–0.48). There were no racial/ethnic differences in willingness to participate. The attitude that “researchers are the main beneficiaries” was negatively associated with willingness (OR = 0.63; CI = 0.43–0.93); the attitude that “patients are the main beneficiaries” was positively associated with willingness to participate (OR = 1.57; CI = 1.07–2.29). Conclusions Men with early stage prostate cancer are willing to take part in clinical trials and this willingness does not vary by race/ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Hispanics are more likely than other racial/ethnic groups in the United States to be diagnosed with later stage of prostate cancer, yet they have lower prostate cancer mortality rates. The authors evaluated the impact of nativity and neighborhood-level Hispanic ethnic enclave on prostate cancer survival among Hispanics. METHODS A total of 35,427 Hispanic men diagnosed with invasive prostate cancer from 1995 through 2008 in the California Cancer Registry were studied; vital status data were available through 2010. Block group-level neighborhood measures were developed from US Census data. Stage-stratified Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the effect of nativity and ethnic enclave on prostate cancer survival. RESULTS In models adjusted for neighborhood socioeconomic status and other individual factors, foreign-born Hispanics were found to have a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer survival (hazards ratio [HR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.75-0.87). Living in an ethnic enclave appeared to modify this effect, with the survival advantage slightly more pronounced in the high ethnic enclave neighborhoods (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71-0.86) compared with low ethnic enclave neighborhoods (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98). CONCLUSIONS Despite lower socioeconomic status, Hispanic immigrants have better survival after prostate cancer than US-born Hispanics and this pattern was more striking among those living in ethnic enclaves. Identifying the modifiable individual and neighborhood-level factors that facilitate this survival advantage in Hispanic immigrants may help to inform specific interventions to improve survival among all patients. Cancer 2014;120:1401-1408. © 2014 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the regional treatments for men with localized prostate cancer and residing within or outside of a defined hospital region in California equipped with a proton beam cyclotron. The California Cancer Registry provided information for a contemplative, close observational analysis of 19,816 men diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2003 to 2006. Results showed that proton beam therapy is not superior and significantly more expensive than other prostate cancer treatments.

Abstract: Since 2001, UCLA has operated IMPACT: Improving Access, Counseling, and Treatment for Californians with Prostate Cancer (CaP). Funded by the California Department of Public Health, with a cumulative budget of over $80 million, the program provides comprehensive care for low-income, uninsured Californian men with biopsy-proven CaP. Health services research conducted with program enrollees, through the UCLA Men''s Health Study, yields an opportunity to perform qualitative and quantitative assessments of patient-reported outcomes in these men, all members of historically underserved, primarily minority populations. This review summarizes data from several studies in which validated instruments were administered longitudinally in 727 participants, prospectively measuring health-related quality of life (HRQOL), self-efficacy in interactions with physician interactions, social and emotional health, symptom distress, satisfaction with care, and other patient-reported outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Context: The urologic community has embraced robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) using the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) as a surgical therapeutic approach to localised prostate cancer (PCa). Safety, efficacy, and potential complications of RALP should be clearly known and emphasised in order to improve outcomes. Objective: To provide an overview of the prevention and reduction of complications in RALP to aid the understanding of the multivariable nature of a surgical procedure incorporating highly developed technology. Evidence acquisition: The present manuscript is based on a presentation on the prevention of complications in robotic prostatic surgery held at the European Association of Urology Section of Oncological Urology meeting in Vienna, Austria, in January 2010. The scope of this article is such that no attempt has been made to include all available evidence on the topic but rather a selection based on practical considerations. Experience with RALP gained at the Institut Montsouris is also reflected in the body of the manuscript. Evidence synthesis: Despite the lack of standardisation when talking about complications, RALP seems to be at least equivalent to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and recently, it appears to provide even better results. To prevent complications, RALP should be considered in its entirety from patient evaluation to postoperative care, not just the surgery itself. The surgeon remains the first actor, and no place is left for improvisation. Thus, every step of the procedure must be perfectly understood and mastered. One must remember that years of training stand behind these high levels of control and technique. Conclusions: Prevention and management of complications in RALP require a high level of team expertise. Perfect standardisation of the procedure and the communication of the procedure''s results are mandatory to lowering the incidence of complications and to facilitating its diffusion to the urologic community. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the botanical, mythological and biological properties of pomegranate fruits in California. It highlights the potential health benefits of the fruit due to its ellagitannins components with demonstrate antioxidant photochemical and immune modulatory properties. It explores the botany, history and myths of the fruit, and notes that consumption of its juice has shown to reduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in men treated for prostate cancer.

We compared health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with statuses obtained after old and new protocols of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for localized prostate cancer. We measured the general and disease specific HRQL using the MOS 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), and the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA PCI), respectively. IMRT resulted in similar profiles of general and disease-specific HRQL to two other methods within the first year after treatment. Moreover, IMRT gave rise to comparable urinary, intestinal and sexual side effects despite the high dose of radiation applied.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2007) 10, 288–292; doi:10.1038/sj.pcan.4500923; published online 12 December 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on issues discussed at the 93rd annual meeting of the American Urological Association in San Diego, California. Details on controlling overactive bladders; Information on the treatment of prostate cancer; Examination of the treatment for begign prostatic obstruction.