Bio
Prostate Cancer is the third leading cause of death in American men…in fact one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Dr. Joseph Wagner, Urologist and Director of Robotic Surgery at Hartford Hospital.
Q. There is new research that suggests hospitals with high annual prostate cancer caseloads have – better survival rates. What can you tell us about this study?
Q. There has been a fair amount of conflicting information regarding prostate cancer screening, the PSA test…What are the current recommendations?
A. Absolutely correct. There has been a lot of debate over the years as to the benefit of prostate cancer screening but the dust finally seems to be settling. A number of years ago the United States Preventative Task Force recommended against prostate cancer screening. There have been a number of studies since then that have shown that the incidence of metastatic prostate cancer and prostate cancer deaths have gone up because of that move. Based on these studies, the Task Force has softened their stance.
There was an excellent study released just this month conducted within the Kaiser healthcare system. They looked at over 400,000 men. The bottom line was men aged 55-75 those who got a yearly PSA test had much lower risk of prostate cancer death. Not only that, they also had a decreased risk of death from other causes as well.
Q. What are some of the treatments the Hartford HealthCare Tallwood Urology and Kidney Institute offers men with prostate cancer?
A. First, it is important to recognize that treatment for prostate cancer needs to be individualized. Treatment is really determined by the aggressiveness of the man's prostate cancer along with his health and life expectancy. We offer robotic surgery, radiation, various forms of androgen deprivation, and chemotherapy. Just as importantly, active surveillance is a reasonable option for many men. Currently, it is an option for approximately 50% of the men I see in the clinic.
Q. What do you want men to know about prostate cancer?
A. I want men to know that low prostate cancer is slow growing still the most in American man because of cancer death. The only thing in their control to battle this is early detection.
Thank you, Dr. Wagner, for sharing such valuable information for all men.
Dr. Wagner's Recognition's:
Hartford Magazine Top Doctors in Hartford: 2011
Hartford Magazine Top Doctors in Hartford: 2010
Hartford Magazine Top Doctors in Hartford: 2009
Hartford Magazine Top Doctors in Hartford: 2007
Connecticut Magazine Top Doctors in Connecticut: 2011
Connecticut Magazine Top Doctors in Connecticut: 2010
Connecticut Magazine Top Doctors in Connecticut: 2006
Best Doctor in America: 2005
New York Metro Area Top Doctor: 2003
New York Metro Area Top Doctor: 2002
New York's Top 100 Minimally Invasive Surgeons, New York Magazine 2002, January Edition
Insurance Accepted*
Aetna, Anthem, BCBS Medicare, Cigna Healthcare, Colonial Cooperative Care, Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc., Connecticare, Connecticare Commercial, Connecticare Medicare, Corvel, Coventry, Essence Healthcare, Evercare, First Health Group Corp., Focus, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Connecticut, Health Direct, Health New England, Healthy Connecticut, HMC/Northeast Healthcare, Medspan Commercial, Medspan Medicare, Multiplan, Northeast Health Direct, One Health Plan/Great-West Healthcare, Oxford Health Plans, Prime Health Services, Private Health Care Systems, Inc., Senior Whole Health, United Healthcare, WellCare of Connecticut, Inc.