New York Robotic Surgery Expert Dr. David B. Samadi, MD Stresses the Importance of Healthy Living in Light of Studies Linking Obesity and Prostate Cancer Development

NEW YORK, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland and published in Cancer Epidemiology and Biomarkers, statistics suggest a strong link between a male individual's Body Mass Index (BMI) and the likelihood that they will develop aggressive, high-grade prostate cancer. Dr. David Samadi, Vice Chairman, Department of Urology, and Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City feels that, "In light of the ever growing epidemic of obesity in our country, the importance of a healthy life style, early prostate cancer detection and prostate cancer treatment by a highly qualified robotic surgeon cannot be overstated."

The 2007 study showed results from a test group of nearly 300,000 men ranging in age from 50 to 71, revealing a steep increase in risk of death from prostate cancer as the subjects' BMI climbed. While at a healthy BMI of around 20 the rate of fatality was consistent with existing statistical norms, even the slightly below healthy group with a BMI of 25 were concluded to have a 25% greater chance of death. Subjects with a BMI of 35 or higher were 100% more likely to be killed by prostate cancer than their slimmer counter-parts. In fact, the study, which monitored its subjects' weight from 1982 to 2007, showed that men who achieved significant weight loss during the test period were half as likely to contract prostate cancer as those who didn't.

A pioneer in the field of prostate cancer treatment and an expert in robotic surgery, Dr. David Samadi states that, "These results are quite conclusive and further highlight the importance of a healthy diet, strong exercise regimen, regular prostate cancer screenings, and early intervention as the best preventative medicine."

However a prostate cancer diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence. Dr. Samadi goes on to say, "In my experience, men with a high BMI can have over a 96% cancer cure rate with the possible recovery of sexual and urinary function in 12-months or less when robotic prostate surgery is indicated."

Fellowship trained in open, laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, Dr. Samadi has performed over 3,200 successful robotic cancer prostate procedures.

Previously, the view was that obese patients did not do well after a robotic prostatectomy because of the surgical complications that can arise such as DVT, blood clots in lower extremities or overall edema. "But these opinions fail to factor in the robotic surgeon's experience. The surgeon performs the surgery, not the robot," says Dr. Samadi. He goes on to say that the knowledge of how to place robotic ports correctly over the obese patient, for example, can "definitely impact surgical results." What's more, patients with a high BMI have been shown to have worse outcomes in studies that compare the efficacy and outcomes of open prostate and laparoscopic surgeries with robotic. "The bottom line is that robotic prostate surgery on men with high BMI's is safe and effective in the hands of an experienced robotic surgeon," advised Dr. Samadi.

The take away message is that having a healthy lifestyle and diet, regular prostate cancer screenings, and prostate cancer awareness are essential to reducing deaths from high grade prostate cancer. It's also clear that robotic surgery can cure those men that are diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer.

Dr. David B. Samadi
Ph: 1-855-DRSAMADI
1-212-241-8779

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