West Coast Urology Steps Up to Feed Local Heroes

Dr. Shahrad Aynehchi, Dr. Sepehr Nowfar, and the staff of West Coast Urology was honored by the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce, along with Wahoo’s Taco’s and Madera’s for hosting meals served to the Los Alamitos Police and Fire Departments.

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Can a Vasectomy Increase the Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer?

A recent article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute brought up the decade’s old discussion of whether a vasectomy increases the risk of developing prostate cancer later in life. Danish researchers reviewed data of more than 2,000,000 Danish males and concluded that a vasectomy can increase the risk of prostate cancer by 15% when compared to non-vasectomized men.

Interestingly, the study also concluded that men who have had a vasectomy had a lower risk of developing other cancers later in life.

While I will not comment on the latter finding, I will go on record as stating that the conclusions regarding prostate cancer development are deeply flawed and are not supported by the data.

WHAT ARE THE STUDY FLAWS?

The flaws in the study are many. The first is that Danish men have very low screening rates for prostate cancer compared to many other countries including the United States. As a result of low screening, 31% of the prostate cancers diagnosed in the Danish study were advanced at the time of diagnosis. This flies in the face of prostate cancer detection in the modern PSA era where cancers are typically diagnosed at much earlier stages. To draw a conclusion about prostate cancer development rates when a population is not screened with PSA testing is simply not possible or reasonable.

WHAT CONCLUSIONS CAN YOU DRAW?

Can I say that there is absolutely no relationship between having a vasectomy and developing prostate cancer? The answer is no because of all of the conflicting data that has emerged over the years. I will state that, on balance, the studies over the past several decades do not support a conclusion that having a vasectomy can cause prostate cancer. In fact, according to a March 2019 study, “Vasectomy and the risk of prostate cancer in a prospective,” by the National Institute of Health (NIH), their conclusion is “with over 20 years of follow-up, no convincing relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer of any grade was identified.”

This debate will surely continue and why I continue to discuss this issue with patients who see me for an in person or online consultation for the No Needle/No Scalpel Vasectomy procedure.
Call, 844-EASY VAS (844-327-9827)

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Dr. Pugach Co-author of paper presented at AUA 2015 Annual Meeting

“Healthcare Costs for Office Based Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Therapies”

The American Urological Association’s podium presentation titled “Healthcare Costs for Office Based Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Therapies” was presented by Craig Smith, MD, FAAP, FACS, DuPage Medical Group and co-authored by Robert G. Pugach MD, Medical Director, West Coast Urology. The presentation compared the costs of HE-TUMT, TUNA and PUL to both providers and patients. Learn more

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Proud Supporter of the 34th Annual Los Alamitos Race on the Base

February 27 & 28
Pictured left, Evans Tran, PA and Kim Pugach.

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PROSTATE CANCER In the News!

“The great prostate cancer ‘hoax’: A call to arms”
Dr. Pugach’s commentary:

“While PSA testing may reveal some small cancers, no one can predict how quickly they will grow. The benefit of PSA testing is to diagnose early prostate cancer and then discuss who should be treated.  Who wouldn’t want to know if they have cancer? At West Coast Urology’s Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence we offer minimally invasive treatments that dramatically reduce the side effects of radical surgery like incontinence and ED. PSA testing is responsible for a dramatic reduction in prostate cancer deaths! Make no mistake about  it – prostate cancer kills.  PSA testing has reduced deaths  from 50,000 per year to 29,000. Don’t become a statistic.”

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Southeastern Section Meeting of the American Urological Association

Dr. Robert G. Pugach presented with Dr. James Ulchaker from the Cleveland Clinic at the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (SESAUA) Annual Meeting on March 14, 2013 in Virginia on “In-Office BPH Therapy.” (Urologix^®,Inc.) Go to Professional Education – SESAUA March 2013 Conference Symposium.

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ADVANCED TRAINING IN MICROSURGERY & MALE INFERTILITY

In May 2013, Dr. Pugach attended advanced training at Cornell University, Advanced Microsurgery Fellowship program. Pictured in operating room learning the technique of Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) from Dr. Schlegel during surgery for male infertility.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE – LIFETIME TELEVISION

Watch Dr. Pugach and Bob Munson, BPH patient, on Lifetime television’s “The Balancing Act. . The interview discusses BPH symptoms and treatment options including medications, surgery and in-office treatments. Don’t miss this segment. Set your recorder!

Press Release: Urologix In-Office BPH Therapy Featured on The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television

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West Coast Urology WELCOMES EVANS TRAN, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

In July 2013, Dr. Robert Pugach commemorated  25 years of private practice. Throughout the years West Coast Urology has gone through some remarkable changes, from increasing staff members to provide the best patient experience,  to Kim Pugach joining our practice to manage our many offices and allow Dr. Pugach to spend more time with his patients.

This year we  announced another major addition to our practice.  Evans Tran has joined our practice as our first Physician Assistant!

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 West Coast Urology OFFERS COMMUNITY EDUCATION SEMINARS & EXPOS

To learn about upcoming seminars, call Kim at 844-EASY VAS (844-327-9827).  Learn more about these common urological conditions at www.pacificcoasturology.com 

Call 844-EASY VAS (844-327-9827).  Ask for Kim for more information or schedule your appointment today.