Dr. John Oertle is the Chief Medical Officer of Envita Medical Center — Cancer and Lyme Disease Treatment Experts, lead of the Molecular Tumor Board, as well as residency director at Envita Medical Centers, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Dr. John Oertle 

As the prostate cancer treatment landscape continues to evolve, understanding the risks and benefits of each approach is critical for patients.

Understanding Prostate Cancer Surgery and Highlighting Patient Advocacy 

Prostate cancer treatment continues to evolve, and patients have more options than ever; however, understanding the risks and benefits of each approach is critical.

“The most important thing I tell patients considering surgery is to fully understand the potential side effects and the long-term outcomes,” explained Dr. John Oertle.

Oertle is the chief medical officer of Envita Medical Center, lead of the Molecular Tumor Board, and residency director at Envita Medical Centers, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He sat down with CURE during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to discuss why radical prostatectomy may not always be the best option and how patients can advocate for the most effective, least invasive care.

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, what advice would you give to patients who are considering surgery, such as radical prostatectomy, and how should they advocate for themselves?

I'm going to go say, that if it were me, my loved one, or any of my patients, I would never recommend prostate removal for anyone. This is because the side effects are too high, and the procedure is not fully curative; in too many patients, the cancer ends up returning. We need to do a better job of making sure that men's health care is using the best technology, so that symptoms are reduced and improved outcomes can be achieved.

Therefore, my recommendation is that if you have prostate cancer or if you are being recommended a radical prostatectomy, either with Da Vinci or robotics, or with general surgery, you should know there are better options out there. You really need to make sure that you are advocating for yourself to get the right doctor, the right team and the right care to actually use the best technology so that your life is improved and your side effects are diminished. You can have a long life with minimal side effects well into your old age.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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Dr. John Oertle discusses the key benefits to come from patients with cancer connecting with support networks, advocacy groups and resources.

Prior to this year’s World Cancer Day, observed on Feb. 4, Dr. John Oertle sat down for an interview with CURE® to discuss the importance of recognizing World Cancer Day, as well as provided key input on what patients with cancer and their support should know about the current state of the therapeutic landscape.

Oertle, the Chief Medical Officer of Envita Medical Center — Cancer and Lyme Disease Treatment Experts, lead of the Molecular Tumor Board, as well as residency director at Envita Medical Centers, in Scottsdale, Arizona, shared his key takeaways on the benefit of patients and their families connecting with support networks, advocacy groups and resources.

There is much information that's thrown at you when you're a patient. It's hard to navigate the healthcare system alone, especially with something as critical as making a decision for your cancer treatment; this is something that's a terminal illness or can have terminal consequences. It is critical to be able to connect with advocacy groups or people who are in the know of what is best for you or somebody who’s gone through it before.

[Patients will ask their peers questions like], what did you do? This does not just include the medical care, oncology and chemotherapy [portion of things] — which we're happy to be able to provide — but rather includes things like what their diet is, what their lifestyle is, what their exercise looks like. [They may ask], how do you [get] through this?

There's so much to understand in a in a very short period when you're dealing with cancer; you don't have a lot of time to discern or decide. This is where advocacy groups that are relaying this information to patients can be a great support to be able to ask what is available. How do I take this difficult situation and be able to land on my feet and make the best decisions? What is the right next step?

This is why I love connecting with groups like yours and others to raise awareness, especially with World Cancer Day. [It is important to] understand how we make decisions with our difficult situations, to be able to make sure we're giving ourselves the best outcomes and the best chance to be able to either survive or make sure that we're able to treat it and it never comes back.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education,

Dr. John Oertle

Understanding Prostate Cancer Surgery and Highlighting Patient Advocacy

The Importance of Utilizing Support Networks Following a Cancer Diagnosis

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