Interview with Dr. Fagin - Continued:

Learn more about daVinci robotic prostate surgery



Q: Can my family be there for the surgery?

A: Absolutely!


Q: Is it expensive?

A: daVinci robotic surgery is covered by Medicare as well as most major medical carriers. Your out-of-pocket payment is really whatever your deductible would be for in-patient hospital care.


Q: How many men in the overall population have been diagnosed with prostate cancer?

A: Over 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the end of 2007 alone. It is the second leading cause of cancer related death in men and 1 in 6 men over their lifetime will be diagnosed with it.


Q: What is the survival rate?

A: It depends on how aggressive the cancer is. If the cancer is caught early enough the rates can exceed 90%, which is why screening becomes so important with PSA's and rectal exams.


Q: What age should you begin having check-ups for prostate cancer?

A: If you have no family history of prostate cancer we recommend starting screening at age 40.


Q: What does PSA mean?

A: It stands for "prostate specific antigen" which is an antigen produced specifically by the prostate gland and is produced in abnormally high quantities when there is prostate cancer.


Q: If my PSA is high does this mean that I have cancer?

A: No, there are many things that can cause a high PSA. Everything from infections to enlarged prostates to trauma to the area can cause a PSA to rise. Cancer is only one of many things that can cause a high PSA.

Stay tuned for more questions!