Prostate Cancer

The standard treatment for prostate cancer - shutting off the body's production of androgen hormones - can chop 2 1/2 years off the lives of men who are at high risk of developing heart disease, Boston researchers reported yesterday. The drugs used for suppressing the hormones produce anemia, weight gain and insulin resistance, a group of factors known as metabolic syndrome. These effects can sharply increase the risk of a fatal heart attack, especially in men who are at high risk, Dr. Anthony D'Amico of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center have shown for the first time that an experimental vaccine made from a patient's tumor can spur the immune system to fight his prostate cancer.The vaccine was tested in a group of men who had their prostates surgically removed but whose disease had spread to adjacent lymph nodes. This is the first sign of metastatic prostate cancer, which proves fatal in the vast majority of cases.Dr. Jonathan Simons, who led the study, said that further research will be needed to see whether the vaccine is capable of bringing cancer into remission -- or better yet, of curing the disease.

The Orioles' Mike Bordick and Ray Miller are among the more than 70 major-league players and managers promoting a home run challenge to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research.From June 20 through June 25, every home run hit in major-league games will raise money for research to cure the disease, which affects one of every six American men. Individuals can pledge from 25 cents to $10,000 for each home run hit, and donations benefit CaP CURE, the Association for the Cure of Cancer of the Prostate, as well as the Cancer Research Institute and the National Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Edward L. Palmer,66, one of the minds behind "Sesame Street" and other children's educational programs, died of prostate cancer Aug. 1 in Ithaca, N.Y.One of the first people hired in 1968 by Children's Television Workshop, parent company of "Sesame Street," he found that children enjoyed watching other children and animals, loved music and slapstick and wanted characters to be kind to each other.Ross Elliott,82, a character actor who appeared in "I Love Lucy" and other television series and was a regular on the soap opera "General Hospital" in the role of Lee Baldwin, died of cancer Thursday in Los Angeles.

In Baltimore CityNortheastern major is finalist for police chief in HagerstownA Baltimore police major who commands the Northeastern District and has worked in the city for 26 years is a finalist to become chief of the Hagerstown department in Western Maryland, he confirmed yesterday.Maj. Arthur Smith, 48, said he applied for the post a few months ago to succeed Dale Jones, who resigned in May to head the law enforcement branch of the National Marine Fisheries Service.Smith has commanded the Northeastern District and its 208 officers for nearly three years.

DALLAS -- Southwest Airlines Co. said yesterday that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Herb Kelleher has prostate cancer and has begun radiation treatment.Kelleher, 68, said the cancer was discovered during an annual exam, and he will receive brief treatments weekdays for about two months while he keeps working. His colorful promotions of Southwest, such as shimmying in an Elvis Presley jumpsuit for a magazine cover, have made him a high-profile chief executive.The diagnosis highlights the lack of a clear successor at an airline whose co-founder and holder of the top three jobs has reached an age when many executives are retired, a key weakness for a company even if the leader is healthy.

James D. Johnson,78, an artist and illustrator who created album covers for Frank Sinatra and promotion posters for the movie "Ben Hur," died Monday of prostate cancer in Marietta, Ga.Hampartzoum Berberian,93, a composer of vocal, choral, operatic, symphonic and chamber works, died of cancer March 13 in Watertown, Mass.Ray Russell,74, a prolific horror and fantasy writer and a former executive editor of Playboy magazine, died Monday from complications from a stroke in Los Angeles.

SEATTLE -- Researchers have located the general area of a gene believed to cause an inherited form of prostate cancer and which may be implicated in brain cancer.Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and the University of Washington have mapped the gene to a specific area of chromosome 1 but have not pinpointed the precise location.It is the fourth mapping of a prostate cancer gene. The findings could lead to new treatments and diagnostic tests for inherited prostate cancer, which accounts for about 10 percent of all cases of the disease.

So your New Year's resolution will be to finally go for your ``annual'' physical. It's been a couple of years - at least. What's the doctor going to do? There are so many health problems the basic physical doesn't check for - from AIDS to hepatitis C - is it worth the expense?In short, yes - the basic physical could save you great pain in the future. Here are the basics of what your doctor will do, and why:THE TESTS:After someone in a lab coat takes your height, weight and blood pressure - to check for hypertension - you will have blood drawn.

Alain Bosquet,78, a leading French poet, novelist and critic whose work swept all the country's literary prizes, died of cancer March 17 in Paris.Seth R. Thomas,56, a sixth-generation descendant of a 19th-century clockmaker and a keeper of timepieces, died Monday in Cleveland of prostate cancer. He was the keeper of the Seth Thomas Tower Clock in Ravenna, Ohio, and was instrumental in having a clock tower included in plans for the Hiram College Library that opened in 1995.Pub Date: 4/10/98

Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, looking healthy and acting as jovial as ever, made a rare on-field appearance Friday night at Camden Yards before the Orioles' game against the Boston Red Sox. He received a standing ovation from the crowd moments before presenting Melvin Mora with a third base bag in a pre-game ceremony for the Orioles' current third baseman. "Actually, the Orioles lost my phone number," Robinson joked about his infrequent appearances on the Camden Yards field. "We haven't been able to catch up."

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the past two decades never needed to know they had the disease, leading many to treatment that can do more harm than good, according to a new study. The findings, published in Monday's Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that since a blood test became the standard way to screen for prostate cancer, an additional 1.3 million men have been diagnosed with the disease. But because many men are diagnosed with cancer that will not cause symptoms and will not kill them, the screening tests save few lives, the authors conclude.

The cool and quiet of Rosemary and Larry Mild's Severna Park home was broken again by the ringing phone. Reporters were calling to probe their reaction Thursday to news that the Libyan intelligence officer convicted of planting a bomb on Pan Am Flight 103 - the bomb that killed Rosemary's daughter over Lockerbie, Scotland - had been released from prison. Scottish authorities allowed Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, to return to Libya and his wife and five children. "You ask how I am?"

Kids' club for wellness Arundel Mills will offer children the Simon Kidgits Club. The Simon Kidgits Club for children ages 3 to 8 focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment. Parents can sign their children up during mall hours. Membership is $5 annually or $8 for two years and includes a membership card, T-shirt, scheduled activities, a birthday card and gift certificate, discounts and newsletter. Information: simonkidgitsclub.com. Senior services directory The free 2009-2010 edition of Services for Seniors, Adults With Disabilities and Caregivers is available at the Heritage Office Complex, 2666 Riva Road, fourth floor, Annapolis, and the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities' seven senior activity centers, county public libraries and Giant Food stores.

Tai Sophia herb walk Tai Sophia Institute in North Laurel will offer an open house for students interested in any of the institute's programs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Information will be presented on graduate degree programs in acupuncture, herbal medicine and applied healing arts. Information on the herbal medicine program will be presented at the herb walk, where participants can join in a group discussion with members of the faculty. Those who attend will have an opportunity to participate in panel discussions with faculty, students and alumni, and tour the institute's library, wellness clinic and campus.

When Peter Bentey was diagnosed with prostate cancer, the doctor told him that he needed surgery. So did the doctor who gave him a second opinion. And the third. And the fourth. Prepared to have his prostate removed, Bentey kept an appointment with Dr. H. Ballantine Carter, a Johns Hopkins urologist and oncologist. Carter looked at Bentey's blood work and did his own biopsy. The doctor's conclusion? Bentey had prostate cancer, but the New Jersey man did not need surgery. At least not right away.

Upper Chesapeake Cardiology is formed Upper Chesapeake Health System has joined with nine cardiologists from Mid-Atlantic Cardiovascular Associates to create Upper Chesapeake Cardiology, effective Thursday. The cardiologists from the Ambulatory Care Center at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and the Havre de Grace site near Harford Memorial Hospital will be employed by Upper Chesapeake Health, with practices remaining at both medical facilities. Upper Chesapeake Cardiology will be part of Upper Chesapeake Health's Cardiovascular Institute and provide advanced technology and accredited diagnostic services.

* Dr. William G. Nelson, a member of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine faculty since 1992, has been selected to lead the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Hopkins. Nelson, who specializes in prostate cancer genetics and treatment, is nationally known as a leader in translational cancer research who, with fellow Hopkins colleagues, discovered the most common genome alteration in prostate cancer. The discovery led to new diagnostic tests for the disease and has fueled interest in new drug discovery and other treatment options, now continuing at Hopkins.

On October 18, 2008 G. C. "TIM" WYATT, (Retired Captain Maryland State Police) of Hampstead, MD, beloved husband of the late Nira (nee Niedentohl). Devoted father of Karen and her husband Stephen M. Jimenez, Dana and her husband Bryan Shinholt and the late Steven Timothy Wyatt. Loving grandfather of Erin, Ryan and Cara Shinholt. Cherished brother of Jane Krider. Also survived by many dear friends. Services will be held at the ELINE FUNERAL HOME 11824 Reisterstown Road (at Franklin Boulevard)

Newsletters for parents, child care providers The Anne Arundel County Department of Health's Learn to Live program offers free copies of its latest newsletter, "Building Blocks," for child care providers and parents. The newsletter includes tips for physical activities and calcium-rich snacks for children. Community health resources are listed. The newsletter also has an insert that can be copied and distributed. http://aahealth.org/ltl_healthykids.asp. The Learn to Live program works to help residents reduce their risk of developing serious illnesses by making healthy choices.