Prostate Cancer Video Review

James Metz, MD
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

Produced by: Time Life Medical
Medical Director: C. Everett Koop, MD
Format: VHS, 30 minutes
Price: $19.95 US
OncoLink Rating:

Time Life Medical, with C. Everett Koop, MD as Medical Director,has developed an extensive series of medical video productions. Abooklet is included with each video which includes a summary of keypoints, glossary of terms, a resource guide, and a personal journal. This video is a very good introduction to prostatecancer that is geared toward viewers without extensive medicalknowledge.

The purpose of this video is to provide a general overview ofprostate cancer and introduce the viewer to treatmentand management strategies. The video is separated into foursections dealing with specific issues. The first section explains thefunction of the prostate gland, riskfactors for prostate cancer, and presenting symptoms. It alsoexplains screeningmodalities used for prostate cancer including the prostatespecific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE). Prostate gland biopsies and Gleason Score are presented to the viewer. The staging systems for prostate cancer are also discussed.

The second section encourages the viewer to gather as muchinformation on prostate cancer as possible to make an informed decisionon treatment. It is recommended that the patient discuss their optionsfor treatment with a Urologist, Radiation Oncologist, and Internist. The video also encourages family members to become involved in thetreatment decisions.

The third section presents an unbiased guide to the treatment andmanagement options for prostate cancer. The video goes into detail onsurgery, radiation therapy, hormonal treatments, and watchful waiting. Experts in each area of treatment are interviewed and patients discusstheir personal experiences. The risks and benefits of each approach areexplained. The video only discusses hormonaltreatment in regards to advanced disease. This type of treatment iscommonly combined with surgery and radiation for early stage cancers. Radiationseed implants, which are becoming more popular, are not discussed asa treatment option in this video. The final section deals with watchfulwaiting and psychologicalissues surrounding prostate cancer.

This video is a very good introduction to the diagnosis andtreatment of prostate cancer. Concepts are explained without confusingmedical jargon. It is easy to understand and is produced to educatethose without an extensive medical background. The video will educatethe viewer on the various treatment options so they can become active inthe treatment planning process.