Cancer center offers tips during Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

1. Sept. 26, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sarah Tiambeng, Zehnder Communications, (504) 962-3731, saraht@z-comm.com
Austin CyberKnife shares recommendations for reducing risk of
prostate cancer
Cancer center offers tips during Prostate Cancer Awareness month
AUSTIN, Texas – September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Austin CyberKnife
aims to educate local men on the disease.
Dr. Doug Rivera, medical director of Austin CyberKnife, recommends the following steps to reduce
the risk of developing prostate cancer and educate oneself in the event of a diagnosis:
• Exercise and eat healthy. Recent studies have shown that maintaining a healthy diet and
routine exercise can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 53 percent. Maintaining a healthy
weight can also reduce the risk of heart disease and other cancer diagnoses.
• Talk to your doctor. Be proactive about education on the disease and check for family history
of prostate cancer. Annual doctor visits can help maintain overall health and detect signs and
symptoms of prostate cancer. The American Urological Association recently released a new
recommendation that routine prostate cancer screening is no longer recommended for men 40
to 54 years old, but should be considered primarily for those 55 to 69.
• Compare treatment options. Prostate cancer treatment options can vary for each individual
depending on factors such as the size and stage of the tumor and the patient’s lifestyle. Men
should research all options and seek second opinions before deciding on a treatment plan.
For men who develop prostate cancer, Austin CyberKnife offers CyberKnife®
technology to treat
prostate cancer with a noninvasive procedure called stereotactic body radiation therapy. During the
procedure, tumors are treated with high doses of precisely targeted radiation in five or fewer
procedures. Patients typically experience few to no side effects and can return to their daily routines
immediately following treatment.
“CyberKnife as a treatment option is particularly important for patients who work or who may be
opposed to other forms of treatment due to their potential side effects that can impact quality of life.”
Dr. Rivera said. “This technology allows them the flexibility to receive treatment without impacting
their daily responsibilities.”
The American Society for Radiation for Oncology recently endorsed SBRT as a first-line treatment
option for prostate cancer, establishing SBRT as a primary form of treatment for prostate cancer.
ASTRO announced the decision after reviewing the results of long-term clinical trials supporting the
safety and efficacy of SBRT. In these studies, patient outcomes with SBRT were consistent with other
radiotherapy treatments.

2. Austin CyberKnife at University Medical Center Brackenridge offers the only CyberKnife program in
the greater Austin area. For more information, call (512) 324-8060.
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