Steve Shelton, a retired middle school principal who lives in Villa Rica, is living life to his fullest years after having a robotic prostatectomy in December of 2014. The procedure was performed by Dr. Justin Watson at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center.
Robotic prostate cancer surgery has several key advantages over the more traditional approach. It shortens the time spent in a facility following a surgery. It also reduces surgery site blood loss, scarring and pain, and speeds up recovery. This method also has the potential to preserve nerves.
Steve remembered he was in his fourteenth year serving as the principal of Mount Paran Christian School Middle School when his urologist, Dr. Thomas Emerson, broke the news that he had cancer.
“I had to lean up against the wall for a minute,” Steve said. “Dr. Emerson drew out diagrams and presented us with all of our options. My wife, Brenda, and I made the decision right then that I was going to do the robotic surgery. I wanted to be decisive and take action and I wanted the cancer gone.”
Robotic prostate cancer surgery reduces surgery site blood loss, scarring and pain, and speeds up recovery.
“The robot allows us to see the prostate better and spare the nerves, which can preserve sexual function,” said Dr. Watson.
SteveCare
Retired Principal Chooses Robotic Surgery to Treat Prostate Cancer
Published on September 14, 2021
Last updated 12:46 PM September 01, 2023
Prevention is the key to better health. It's very important to see your physician regularly so that we can screen for these abnormalities before they cause symptoms, let alone any type of health threat.
- Dr. Scott Miller
Wellstar Medical Director of Urologic Services & Robotic Surgical Services
Diagnosing prostate cancer
While Wellstar gives patients access to advanced medical technology to treat prostate cancer, early detection is the key to catching the disease in its early stages.Over the course of a few years before his diagnosis, Steve and his doctors had tracked his PSA rising slowly.
“Prevention is the key to better health,” said Dr. Scott Miller, Wellstar’s medical director of urologic services and robotic surgical services. “It's very important to see your physician regularly so that we can screen for these abnormalities before they cause symptoms, let alone any type of health threat.”
Primary care physicians and urologists typically use prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests to screen men for prostate cancer. When prostate cancer is suspected, these same tests can help monitor a man’s health over time. Because interventions for prostate cancer can have side effects, treatment is typically recommended only when it becomes absolutely necessary. Steve’s physicians advocated for waiting until his PSA number reached a certain level.
“It was absolutely reassuring that these doctors were not going to jump right into treatment,” Steve said.
When his PSA numbers reached levels of concern, Dr. Emerson referred Steve to a colleague to perform a biopsy to confirm the suspicion of cancer. Steve remembers Dr. Emerson explaining that Dr. Justin Watson was a scholar in the field and had a high level of training and experience in robotic surgery.
“Justin was so warm and reassuring,” Steve remembered. “I knew God had provided a great doctor and I didn’t have worries.”
The biopsy confirmed that it was cancer and Steve moved forward with a robotic prostatectomy by Dr. Watson.
“The whole atmosphere in that surgical suite was one of caring, concern and competence,” Steve remembered. “It was like I placed my life in the hands of a loving family.”
Life after robotic surgery
After his prostatectomy, Steve returned to finish his last year at Mount Paran, and then retired from his 45-year career in education. He and his wife moved to Villa Rica to a 14-acre horse farm they share with Sophi, a Spotted Saddle Horse, and Jack, an American Quarter Horse.“We love being here,” said Steve, saying he spends a fair amount of time riding on their property’s pasture. “And I don’t take health for granted. I’m grateful for every single day.”
Now available as an outpatient or same-day procedure
Dr. Watson collaborated with Dr. Miller – who performed the first robotic prostatectomy in the state – to make the prostatectomy procedure available to patients as an outpatient procedure. In 2019, Wellstar became the first health system in metro Atlanta to offer outpatient prostatectomies. Since that time, only about 10% of patients who have their surgery performed in the morning choose to stay overnight.Learn more about the benefits of having an outpatient robotic prostatectomy at Wellstar.
Related Articles
Highlights
Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men
Screening for prostate cancer is crucial for early detection and to help provide the best possible outcome. It is especially important for Black men to be vigilant about screening, as they are disproportionately impacted by this cancer.
About 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 8 white men, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Black men.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at an average risk of developing prostate cancer begin screening when they are 50, but Black men should start earlier—at age 45 if they have no family history of prostate cancer, and at age 40 if any of their male relatives have had prostate cancer. Wellstar takes a personalized approach to cancer screenings, with clinicians discussing benefits versus risks of screening and helping patients evaluate their risk.
“Despite many physicians being aware of this and following this practice, Black men continue to be diagnosed with and die from metastatic prostate cancer. This is a trend that desperately needs to be reversed,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Earl Stewart. “We have adequate screening tools that do not even require a digital rectal examination.”
The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is more accurate than the digital rectal examination in helping to detect prostate cancer, according to Dr. Stewart. Patients should also discuss family history with their relatives. “Patients knowing their family history is so crucial in having those discussions with primary care physicians to determine the best age at which to start screening,” Dr. Stewart said.
Screening for prostate cancer is as simple as making a preventive appointment with your primary care physician, discussing your family history with him or her, and having a PSA blood test. This test may be performed during an annual physical or wellness visit. Shared decision making between physician and patient is important to discuss your risk, your need for testing and next steps to take if your PSA level is elevated and concerning. Knowing your risk can save your life.
“I know many personally who are near and dear to me who had the disease and who unfortunately died from complications of metastatic prostate cancer,” Dr. Stewart said. “I know many more who lived because they had the conversation and dared to move forward with appropriate screening at the appropriate age.”
Highlights
4 Common Questions About Gynecologic Cancer—Answered
The gynecologic oncologists at Wellstar care for women at all stages of life, treating a variety of conditions with compassion and offering advanced care options. Our team are experts in treating cancers such as uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. Here, we answer common questions about gynecologic cancer care with the help of Dr. Rosa Miller Polan, a gynecologic oncologist at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center.
What is a gynecologic oncologist?
Gynecologic oncologists are specialists trained in the multidisciplinary management of patients with cancers of the female reproductive tract. Trained originally in obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologic oncologists treat patients with complex benign gynecologic issues, as well as gynecologic cancer patients who may need surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or a combination of different treatments.
When should you seek care?
Gynecologic cancers have different warning signs. When a person experiences concerning symptoms, a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, should be performed. Cervical and vaginal cancer symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding and pain. The most common warning sign for uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. In postmenopausal women, any bleeding or spotting is abnormal and should prompt an evaluation.
Ovarian or fallopian tube cancer symptoms include bloating, constipation, pelvic or abdominal pain and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. Vulvar cancer symptoms include itching, burning, discoloration, and new bumps or lumps on the skin outside of the vagina.
Who is at risk for developing gynecologic cancer?
Women who smoke cigarettes are at elevated risk for cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer development. People who are immunosuppressed and those who have tested positive for the human papillomavirus (HPV) are also at increased risk. Genetics can contribute to the development of uterine, ovarian or fallopian tube cancers and these types of cancers can run in families. Obesity and use of hormone replacement therapy can put women at risk for the development of uterine, ovarian and fallopian tube cancers. A history of infertility, endometriosis and pelvic radiation are also risk factors for developing gynecologic cancer.
What services are available at Wellstar?
At Wellstar, gynecologic oncologists provide comprehensive care for patients with gynecologic cancers, including administering chemotherapy and performing surgeries when needed. As high-volume pelvic surgeons, gynecologic oncologists also care for patients who need elective and emergent complex benign gynecologic surgery.
For many patients, robotic-assisted surgery offers a minimally invasive approach with less associated blood loss, shorter hospital stays and fewer post-operative complications. Gynecologic oncologists are some of the top users of the innovative DaVinci 5 robotic surgery platform. Performing complex gynecologic cancer surgeries, minimally invasive or otherwise, requires the type of highly specialized and multidisciplinary teams that work at Wellstar—and an infrastructure of resources to ensure patients have access to best-in-class care in their own backyard.
Learn more about gynecologic oncology at Wellstar at wellstar.org/gyncancer.
Highlights
Team Up with Wellstar to Fight These Men’s Health Issues
If you’re a sports fan, you’re probably glued to every game, rooting for your team and analyzing every play. But are you as vigilant with your own health?
In addition to knowing your health stats—those important numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar—you should also watch for health conditions that more commonly impact men.
An annual physical gives you the opportunity to ask your clinician questions about your health, and you’ll get a few quick, crucial health screenings that can catch issues early and put you on track for staying well.
“See your primary care provider at least once a year to check in on your well-being and stay up to date on essential screenings you may need,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Facia Dew. “Your provider will customize care based on your health history, age and other factors to help you feel your best.”
Take action against illness
Some illnesses are more likely to affect men than women, so men should be especially mindful about taking steps to prevent these issues:
Lung cancer
Men are slightly more likely to get lung cancer—the lifetime risk for men is 1 in 17, while it’s 1 in 18 for women, according to the American Cancer Society. Black men are about 12% more likely to develop lung cancer compared to white men. Decrease your risk of lung cancer by avoiding smoking.
With a low-dose CT scan of the chest, it only takes a few seconds to check in on your lung health. An order from your healthcare professional is required for a lung cancer screening. Contact your Wellstar primary care team or a pulmonologist to discuss if screening is right for you.
Parkinson’s disease
Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to have Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Wellstar neurologists and neurosurgeons are experts in helping patients manage this condition.
Kidney stones
The risk of kidney stones is about 11% in men and 9% in women, according to the National Kidney Foundation. You can reduce your risk of kidney stones by staying hydrated and eating a low-sugar, low-sodium diet. Your care team can help you evaluate your risk factors, including personal and family history, obesity and being 40 or older.
Prostate cancer
While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer and are more commonly affected at younger ages. Men who are 50 or older should ask their doctor about testing, and Black men should discuss testing with their care team at age 45. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should also consider screenings at a younger age, and your healthcare professional will discuss options with you.
Form healthy habits
According to Wellstar Urologist Dr. Scott Miller, men need to stay active and stay away from smoking. He also noted a few lifestyle changes that are sometimes overlooked can make a difference in how you feel.
“What’s often neglected is a full and consistent night’s sleep,” Dr. Miller said. “And keep stress under control—too much stress can negatively impact our immune systems.”