Erectile Dysfunction is a problem more common than men are willing to admit. Although it can be an uncomfortable topic, men shouldn’t shy away from discussing sexual health concerns with their physician.

Men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone or incontinence are not only a quality of life concern, but also can be linked to potentially serious health risks including heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

June is Men’s Health Month and UT physicians say it is an excellent time for men to take inventory of how they are feeling and to take action if they are experiencing sexual health symptoms. It is important for a man to schedule an appointment with a urologist if he experiences any the following:

• Erectile dysfunction with or without a decrease in sexual desire
• Urinary incontinence or difficulty urinating
• A lump or mass in the testicles
• An elevated PSA level or abnormal prostate exam
• Infertility
• Andropause (male menopause)
• Peyronie’s Disease (penile curvature)

Dr. Ajay Singla

“Oftentimes we initially see a patient because he is having difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection,” said Dr. Ajay Singla, UT Health’s vice chair of urology and director of the UT Men’s Health Clinic. “We may then find the patient has underlying medical condition such as diabetes, vascular disease or obesity causing his symptoms.”

The diagnosis and management of these conditions can be challenging and in some instances could require a more collaborative approach to treatment.

The UT Men’s Health Clinic opened in 2015 to provide the only comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinic of its kind in the region. Since that time, the clinic has grown from three specialists to a team of seven health care providers in urology, cardiology, endocrinology, physical therapy, family medicine and nutrition.

“This collaboration allows us to treat the patient as a whole and address all of his health issues during one appointment,” Singla said. “We are finding our patients appreciate the convenience of seeing multiple specialists at one time and are pleased with the customized medical plans we provide.”

To better consolidate services, the UT Men’s Health Clinic is moving June 28 to the Regency Medical Campus located at 1000 Regency Court. The clinic sees patients on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The medical team’s emphasis is on common conditions affecting the urological, sexual and reproductive health of men. Services offered include surgical and non-surgical therapies for benign enlargement of the prostate, andropause, infertility, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, permanent sterilization, varicocele, sexual dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease and incontinence.

To make an appointment for the clinic, call 419.383.4360.

The University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living is hosting a breast cancer survivorship conference 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 at the Academic Services Center on UT’s Scott Park Campus.

“A breast cancer survivor is someone who lives with, through and beyond cancer,” said Amy Thompson, professor of health education. “Whether or not she thrives is a matter of quality of life.”

A cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of a journey filled with physical, emotional, spiritual, social and financial challenges. These challenges are more easily overcome if survivors receive support that empowers them to take control of their well-being.

The Mind, Body, Soul, Spirit: The Journey from Survivor to Thriver conference features keynote speaker Rev. April Hearn, who will share an inspiring message of hope and joy.

Conference breakout sessions include Peace, Tea and You; De-Stressing: Everything You Need to Know You Learned in Kindergarten; Essential Oils: Smelling to Feel Better; and Helping Yourself by Helping Others. The event also features nearly two dozen vendors, door prizes and the opportunity to make connections with other cancer survivors.

The event is co-sponsored by UT Health’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center and the African American Women’s Cancer Support Group.

“We especially want to reach out to women in underserved communities,” said Barbara Oxner, community outreach coordinator for the African American Women’s Cancer Support Group. “A cancer diagnosis can be especially challenging for minorities, older women, those with financial difficulties and those who do not have a strong network of family and friends. They need extra support to get the most out of each day and truly thrive during and after treatment.”

Registration is $5, which includes access to the educational sessions, health screenings, vendors, breakfast and lunch. There are a limited number of registration scholarships available to women who need assistance.

“We want to help breast cancer survivors reach a high level of mental, physical and emotional well-being while they adjust to living with a cancer diagnosis,” Thompson said. “It is our goal to help patients live longer, healthier and happier lives.”

To register contact Jeannine Everhart by June 15 at 419.530.5205.

Advances in technology now available at UT Health allow physicians to reduce the risk of unnecessary prostate biopsies, more accurately diagnose cancer and provide a clearer picture of treatment options available.

Each year in the United States, more than one million men undergo a prostate biopsy because of an elevated prostate-specific antigen known as PSA or abnormal rectal examination. Unfortunately, up to 800,000 of them will have undergone the invasive and risky biopsy for no reason, as their biopsies are likely to be negative or show non-deadly, non-aggressive disease.

Dr. Samay Jain

“For years, the traditional pathway for prostate cancer detection has been to perform a biopsy if a man had an abnormal PSA or rectal exam” said Dr. Samay Jain, vice chief of staff and division chief of urologic oncology at UT Health. “However, prostate biopsies have come under considerable fire as of late because of the significant risks of severe infection and death in certain cases.”

Fortunately, there is a better way, and it is available right here in northwest Ohio.

Advances in magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI technology, enable UT physicians to see inside the prostate in a safe and noninvasive manner to identify men who truly need biopsies.

“Prostate MRI allows us to see the prostate in a way that was never available before,” Jain said. “In the right hands, this information can be crucial in determining whether a man needs a risky biopsy or not.”

“Not only does MRI help in deciding who needs a biopsy, but for those diagnosed with prostate cancer, the imaging we have aids in tailoring individual treatments for each individual patient.”

Should a patient need to undergo a biopsy, images from the MRI allow for more precise sampling from areas of concern and yield much higher cancer detection rates than performing prostate biopsies without the MRI technology.

June is Men’s Health Month and Dr. Jain reminds men the key to early detection is starting the conversation with their physicians.

“It can be an uncomfortable topic. Men don’t like to talk about prostate screenings for a variety of reasons,” he said. “But, it’s important to have the courage to broach the topic, even if their physicians don’t.

“Also, listen to your loved ones. I think there are many men who owe their lives to their wives and daughters for finally convincing them to schedule an appointment and get screened. By staying proactive, we are confident that we can decrease the number of men dying from prostate cancer in the near future.”

Current American Urological Association Guidelines recommend routine screening for healthy men between the ages of 55 and 69 and recommend a PSA and rectal exam every other year. Men outside of this age range should have a discussion with their doctor on whether prostate cancer screening is right for them.

Cancer patients are invited to take a break from the hard work of fighting cancer for an evening to relax, network with other cancer patients and celebrate life.

The Survivor Celebration will be 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at The University of Toledo Health Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center in recognition of National Cancer Survivor Month in June.

“Each year of survivorship is a reason for joy,” said Renee Schick, manager of Renee’s Survivor Shop in the Dana Cancer Center. “We want to recognize and honor our patients and their caregivers for their strength and courage through the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”

Survivors and their guests will be treated to live music, games, refreshments and door prizes. They also will have the opportunity to participate in a collaborative mural painting with a local artist and others touched by cancer. Free skin cancer screenings will be offered and the Survivor Shop will be open for shopping.

Experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide advice for survivors in caring for themselves during and after cancer treatment. Patients will receive information about survivorship care, options for treating lymphedema, nutrition advice and health coaching.

“The cancer journey is so different for each patient,” said Michelle Giovanoli, UT Health radiation oncologist therapy manager and breast cancer survivor. “We want to be a resource for continuing support as our patients and their families celebrate life beyond a cancer diagnosis.”

Nearly 200 survivors and their loved ones, along with doctors, nurses and other care providers are expected to attend.

The event is free, but reservations are requested. Email EleanorNDanaCancerCenter@utoledo.edu or call 419.383.5243.

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj, Gen. Susan Desjardins will serve as the commencement speaker for the The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences graduation ceremony 2 p.m. Friday, May 27 at the Stranahan Theater.

There are 254 candidates for degrees, including 169 who will receive doctor of medicine degrees, five will receive a doctor of philosophy degree; 65 will receive master’s degrees; and 15 will receive graduate certificates.

Desjardins will receive an honorary degree of doctor of public service.

Desjardins

“We are honored to have General Desjardins speak to our graduating class,” said Dr. Christopher Cooper, senior vice president for clinical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. “Her professional accomplishments and commitment to community exemplify the leadership traits we desire to see in all of our graduates.”

“Public Service takes many forms and it is gratifying that an institution dedicated to public service through teaching the healing arts and sciences has recognized that serving in the military also enhances the well-being of our fellow citizens,” Desjardins said. “I am humbled by the great honor bestowed upon me by the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.”

A command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours, Desjardins retired after a 32-year career in the Air Force. Her final active duty assignment was as the director of plans and policy for U.S. Strategic Command.

Desjardins received her commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy and her bachelor of science degree in international affairs/political science. She also holds master of arts degrees in industrial psychology and human relations from Louisiana Tech University and national security and strategic studies from Naval Command and Staff College.

Currently, Desjardins is a consultant for Project Air Force with RAND Corporation and is a trustee and nominating committee member of the Falcon Foundation, which supports military prep school scholarships for those who desire to attend the Air Force Academy. She also serves as president of the Board of Governors of the Independence Museum and as the national defense committee chair of the Exeter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Exeter, NH. She was recently selected to the Board of Trustees of Exeter Health Resources.

Good nutrition is an important weapon in the fight against cancer. Eating right can help patients feel better and stay stronger during cancer care, but treatments can often cause nausea and reduce a patient’s appetite.

“Each patient’s experience with chemotherapy and other cancer treatments is different,” said Jodi McClain, a nurse practitioner at The University of Toledo Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center who organized the event. “It is our goal to help our patients maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle to support their immune system and boost their energy levels.”

Cancer patients are invited to learn about the benefits of proper nutrition and view a cooking demonstration of meals designed just for them at a free wellness seminar called Get the Most from Your Diet During Cancer Treatment and Beyond at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center on the UT Health Science Campus. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.

The evening will include nutrition information from Kristi Mason, board certified specialist in oncology nutrition for UT Health, and a cooking demonstration by Jake O’Leary, executive chef at Extra Virgin Catering Services.

“We will review what it means to follow a healthy diet and discuss ways that patients can maintain their calorie and nutrient intake during treatment,” Mason said. “Many patients find they better tolerate small meals or a liquid diet, so we will focus on high-protein, nutrient-dense meals and smoothies.”

The event is a part of the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center Wellness Information Series.

While many people remember to protect themselves from sunburn when it’s sunny outside, University of Toledo Health physicians recommend taking daily precautions to prevent developing skin cancer because damaging rays from the sun can penetrate cloud cover and cause skin damage.

One in five people will develop skin cancer, making it the most common cancer in the United States with nearly six million cases treated each year. May is National Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month and is a good time to review how to protect us from the sun.

Chaudhuri

Dr. Prabir Chaudhuri, professor and surgical director of The University of Toledo’s Eleanor N. Cancer Center recommends avoiding the sun during its peak hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., if possible. If exposure is unavoidable, take these precautions:

• Wear lightweight, long-sleeve shirts, hats and sunglasses;
• Liberally apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF every day and reapply often, especially when sweating or swimming; and
• Do not assume a “base tan” from a tanning booth protects you from sunburn or UV damage.

“Using a tanning bed in an effort to avoid sunburn and skin damage is a myth. Tanning beds use intense UVA rays to darken skin, but UVB rays from the sun are what cause sunburns,” Chaudhuri said. “Both are dangerous and we know that tanning, whether indoors or out, causes cumulative damage to the skin, which can result in skin cancer.”

Melanoma is most common among older adults and senior citizens, but Chaudhuri says people of all ages can develop these malignant tumors.

“People with dysplastic nevi, a family history of skin cancer, extreme sun exposure or who have medical conditions which suppress the immune system need to be particularly vigilant in protecting themselves against melanoma,” Chaudhuri said. “Children are especially at risk because they have their whole lives to accumulate skin damage due to sun exposure.”

Dysplastic nevi are benign moles that can appear on any part of the body. They range in size and can be light pink to very dark brown in color. Dysplastic nevi are usually genetic and start to appear in late childhood and may increase in number with age. As many as one in 14 individuals have at least one of these atypical moles.

One of Dr. Chaudhuri’s patients says he monitors his skin carefully for changes because dysplastic nevi run in his family.

“I have a lot of moles, and I’m always looking for changes in their color and shape,” Thomas Fischer said. “I’ve had two melanoma removed. It makes me very anxious because I am likely to get it again and I know it can progress. It’s important to keep up with it.”

Regular skin-self exams are important in identifying potential skin cancers. All areas of skin should be checked, not just areas that see regular sun exposure. Melanomas have been found on the scalp, groin areas and bottoms of the feet. The appearance of any skin irregularities or changes in existing moles should be examined by a trained physician in an effort to find and treat melanoma in its earliest stages.

“I visit Dr. Chaudhuri every six months now due to my risk of recurrence,” Fischer said. “After spending years at the lake, skiing and getting tan, I realize there’s a tradeoff. All that sun catches up to you eventually.”

Chaudhuri says a checkup takes just a few minutes and problem spots can be identified and removed quickly.

He said, “If caught early, melanoma typically responds well to treatment, but the best treatment for any disease is always prevention.”

The University of Toledo Medical Center is being recognized for its superior stroke treatment.

For the 10th year in a row, UTMC has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment based on the latest research.

“It shows the consistent quality care that we provide at this institution,” said Dr. Mouhammad Jumaa, assistant professor and director of the Stroke Center and co-director of the Stroke Network.  “The University of Toledo Medical Center is one of only a few stroke centers in northwest Ohio to offer research protocols for both acute stroke and stroke prevention. We prevent, diagnose and treat stroke.”

Andrea Korsnack, stroke coordinator, said UT’s stroke team treated 338 patients in 2014 and 323 so far this year.

“Receiving this award for the 10th consecutive year cements our foothold as a leader in stroke care in Northwest Ohio,” Korsnack said.

The UT stroke team, in place since 1994, includes  two fellowship-trained interventional neurologists; two fellowship-trained stroke neurologists; a dedicated stroke nurse and nurse practitioner; three neurosurgeons; a neurosurgery nurse practitioner; a CARF-accredited rehabilitation hospital on site; and emergency department, pharmacy, radiology and laboratory staff. CARF stands for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

To receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieve 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight quality measures.

The honor roll accolade requires that hospitals reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA. If given intravenously in the first three hours after the start of stroke symptoms, tPA has been shown to significantly reduce the effects of stroke and lessen the chance of permanent disability.

Stroke is the No.  5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

University of Toledo research on a promising treatment for traumatic brain injuries coincides with the public’s growing interest in football-related injuries.

Dr. Kenneth Hensley, associate professor of pathology, is using a compound that he developed and patented known as LKE, or XN-001, to explore the possible medical benefits. LKE treatment reduces neural damage and accelerates recovery in a mouse model of diffuse axonal injury, which is a common type of brain injury in motor vehicle accidents, combat injuries and football players. The study results were recently published in the Journal of Neurotrauma.

“This topic is of great interest to the public, especially as we continue to hear more and more about the long-term effects of brain injuries, in particular as it relates to football,” Hensley said. “The movie ‘Concussion’ with Will Smith is coming out on Dec. 25, which will spark additional dialogue on brain injuries caused by sports and if we should be encouraging our children to get involved in such potentially dangerous activities.”

Hensley said LKE works by binding to a protein called CRMP2 that helps stabilize connections that neurons use to communicate with one another. In a traumatic brain injury, these connections are damaged; however, LKE helps nerve cells repair the CRMP2.

Further, Hensley and his University of Toledo colleagues, Dr. Kris Brickman, an emergency medicine physician, and Dr. Daniel Gaudin, a neurosurgeon, are conducting studies to identify salivary biomarkers of concussive brain injury in local high school football players and in car crash patients. This is imperative because a biomarker would allow a more objective way to determine the seriousness of a head injury, Hensley said.

“This work has the potential to rapidly and accurately identify serious brain injury, and provide effective treatment to minimize the brain damage resulting from such injuries,” he said.

Hensley also is working with Marni Harris-White, associate professor and research health scientist at UCLA/Veterans Administration, to understand how traumatic brain injuries translate to Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans with no treatment to slow the disease.

Harris-White has found that people with mild brain trauma don’t have swelling or bleeding that can be detected with a brain scan. The brain’s neurons go through subtle changes, which she and Hensley are trying to understand so they can develop drugs to treat the injury, whether big or small.

“We grossly underestimate the number of traumatic brain injuries a person might experience in a lifetime,” Hensley said. “Kids fall all the time when they are learning to walk and are those falls causing changes to the brain over time? That’s why this research is so important. The cost to a young person is difficult to estimate, but we are talking about a reduction in decision-making capabilities and brain function.”

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (Dec. 16, 2015)

The University of Toledo Medical Center is participating in a clinical study with a cholesterol medication that has been approved by the FDA.

The evolocumab injection, also known by the name brand Repatha-Amgen, is for patients who cannot get their LDL cholesterol low enough with other treatment options. It works best when combined with a healthy diet and statin therapy.

Dr. Mujeeb Sheikh

“The evolocumab injection is an effective drug for patients who have very high cholesterol, but statins, such as LIPITOR, and following a healthy diet aren’t working for them,” said Mujeeb Sheikh, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and principal investigator for the clinical trial. “Cholesterol is a big problem for many patients. It is the root cause for coronary disease. If we can reduce cholesterol, patients are less likely to need stents and other medical procedures.”

The nationwide 18-month clinical trial, which ends in December, includes patients from UTMC who have not been able to reduce their cholesterol with traditional treatment options. Once the double-blind study is complete, they will receive the medication free of cost.

“This is a powerful drug that can reduce cholesterol by 50 or 60 points by simply giving yourself three injections per months,” Sheikh said. “This is a game changer. I plan to prescribe it to my patients.”

John Jenkins, director of the FDA’S Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a written statement that, “Cardiovascular disease is a serious threat to the health of Americans, and the FDA is committed to facilitating the development and approval of effective and safe drugs to address this important public health problem.”

Sheikh is glad that UTMC can offer people the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. In addition to free medication, they can contribute to the growth of science.

“We are conducting a lot of research at UTMC, and patients can benefit from these cutting-edge developments,” Sheikh said. “We are proud to be a part of important experimental therapies that can improve health care in our city, in our region and even nationwide.”

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (Dec. 10, 2015)