Kevin Dowd's Unyielding Spirit in the Fight Against Prostate Cancer
Kevin Dowd's story began like many others — with a routine health check. Elevated PSA levels led to further tests and ultimately a diagnosis of acinar adenocarcinoma, one of the most aggressive types of prostate cancer. The cancer carried a Gleason Score of 9 (4+5) and was classified as Grade Group 5, confirming the seriousness of his condition. With 33% of the prostate gland affected, and evidence of extraprostatic extension and perineural invasion, the cancer had already begun spreading.
Though the news was devastating, Kevin Dowd of Churchville NY didn't allow himself to be paralyzed by fear. Working closely with a team of oncologists and surgeons in Rochester, he underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy — a procedure that removed the prostate and surrounding tissues. During surgery, doctors also performed a pelvic lymph node dissection, which showed the cancer had metastasized to one of five lymph nodes, elevating his diagnosis to Stage IVA (pT3a, pN1). Positive margins found during surgery further complicated the prognosis.
Still, Kevin Dowd didn't lose heart. Instead, he and his care team crafted an aggressive, multi-layered treatment plan designed to slow the cancer and reduce the risk of recurrence. In November 2022, he began androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with Leuprolide, a hormone therapy aimed at lowering testosterone levels — a key driver of prostate cancer growth.
In December 2022, Kevin Dowd started pelvic radiation therapy, targeting the areas where cancer cells might remain, including the surgical site and lymph nodes. This phase of treatment was physically demanding, but Kevin met each session with patience and resolve.
To further block androgen production, Kevin Dowd was prescribed Abiraterone, a medication that halts androgen synthesis from not only the testes but also the adrenal glands and the tumor itself. To manage the side effects, Prednisone was added to his daily regimen.
Throughout this journey Kevin Dowd has leaned on his deep-rooted sense of purpose and the strong network surrounding him. Whether in Churchville resting between treatments or consulting with specialists in Rochester, he maintained active engagement in his care and refused to let cancer dictate the terms of his life.
Kevin Dowd's experience is more than a medical case; it's a story of inner strength. His willingness to confront harsh realities, make bold treatment decisions, and embrace modern therapies has given him the best possible chance at long-term survival.
He serves as a beacon for others in Rochester and Churchville NY who may be facing similar health battles. His story is a reminder that early detection, combined with an assertive treatment plan and a strong support system, can turn the tide against even the most aggressive cancers.
While the road ahead still includes regular monitoring and continued therapy, Kevin Dowd's unyielding spirit remains intact. His courage in the face of adversity proves that while cancer may be strong — the human will to survive is stronger.
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Time Business News
4 days ago
- Time Business News
Prostate Cancer: When to Treat and When to Monitor
You've probably heard the words 'prostate cancer', especially if you are more than 50 or a dear person goes through it. But a million dollars is a question of whether you immediately treat it or wait and see? Unlike many cancers, which require immediate action, prostate cancer sometimes plays by a different set of rules. This is right! Sometimes, nothing can be the best you can do right now. But how do you know when to work and when to catch? In cities such as Jaipur, where advanced medical treatment is easily accessible, selection is a real conversation starter between aggressive treatment and careful monitoring. Many patients begin the journey by detecting the best prostate cancer treatment in Jaipur, where their options become important. To understand prostate cancer, it is useful to paint the prostate: a small walnut-shaped gland under the bladder and next to the rectum. Most never give it a new idea until something goes wrong, but still, the organ calmly creates most of the fluids that carry semen during ejaculation. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate start growing uncontrollably. Not all of these cells are aggressive, though. Some just sit there, minding their own business, growing at a snail's pace. Certain things increase your chances: Age (especially after 50), Family history, Being African-American, Obesity, Diet high in red meat and low in veggies. Sometimes prostate cancer whispers long before. Watch out for: Urin When cancer increases, then similar symptoms: blood in urine or semen, pain in the hips, back, or chest, erectile dysfunction PSA (PSA-Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein made by prostate cells. A high level doesn't always mean cancer, but it's a red flag that needs more checking. Not fun, but necessary. Your doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps or hard spots on the prostate. When doctors see something unusual, they do a biopsy, which means taking a small needle core from the prostate to look for cancer cells. After an MR or CT scan can be ordered, the team helps check if the illness has spread beyond the gland. Low-risk cancer is slow-growing and unlikely to spread beyond the prostate, yet high-risk disease has features that suggest? It could move around the body more quickly. Pathologists combine two main patterns of cancer to make a Gleason score between 6 and 10. A score of 6 or 7 usually means that the tumor is mostly, while a score of 8 or more creates anxiety as the cells seem very aggressive. This means regular PSA testing, current biopsy, and monitoring. Ideal for low-risk cancer that does not increase or cause problems. Most are used for elderly patients or people with other health conditions. If the symptoms appear, treatment begins. Until then, this hand is closed. If the cancer is aggressive or causes symptoms: Radical prostatectomy – removes the prostate.e Radiation Treatment – Kill Cancer Cells Hormone Treatment – Cut the testosterone that drives cancer Chemotherapy – for advanced cases If urination hurts or the patient feels bone pain, waiting is rarely wise. A rising PSA level in many blood tests usually indicates a more aggressive disease and pushes many men against active treatment. A glygon score of 8 or higher or some rare, rapidly growing cell types is required soon to later. Gleeson can be carefully seen instead of relieving cancer that scores six or lower on the back, without pain. In men whose hearts, lungs, or other organs create a greater risk than cancer, careful observation may be more understandable than aggressive surgery. Some prostate tumors develop so slowly that they rarely change in ten years. In such cases, it seems to jump right into aggressive treatment, more like an exaggeration than progression. Simple options have power. Squeeze dishes with tomatoes, drink green tea instead of sugary drinks, cut down on red meat, and aim for a daily journey; Together, these habits can calm the body and mind. Steady watching beats hit-or-miss guesswork. Letting blood tests and scans slip means allowing tiny troubles the room to blossom into big surprises. The story of each cancer is one by one. A thoughtful urologist weighs the results of your test, general welfare, life goals, and feelings, which you like best. Living with uncertainty is draining. Byy explaining the why behind each option, a skilled urologist in Jaipur turns fog into practical road signs and soothes anxious nights. To determine whether the treatment or monitoring of prostate cancer is not a size-dependent landscape. It depends on your age, health, cancer phase, and how you feel about 'waiting and watching'. But the rest was secured – both options can be part of a successful strategy. The key is informed and open interaction with your doctor. Whether you need security or a game plan, consult a reliable urologist in Jaipur who can set you in the right direction. Not really. Certain types grow so slowly that they never cause trouble, yet they still need regular check-ins. Only if you skip the doctor visits, stay on schedule, and have a solid plan for low-risk patients. At the top of the list are tomatoes, broccoli, green tea, walnuts, and oily fish. High-grade, aggressive versions can move to bones and other organs if left untreated. It varies. Some men test every six months while others only once a year. click here for more articles TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Johnson & Johnson submits application to the European Medicines Agency seeking indication extension of AKEEGA® (niraparib and abiraterone acetate dual action tablet) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and HRR gene alterations
The submission is based on results from the Phase 3 AMPLITUDE study evaluating niraparib in combination with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone compared to a current standard of care, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone1 The results demonstrate significant and clinically meaningful benefits of the niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone regimen in delaying cancer progression and worsening of symptoms1 BEERSE, BELGIUM, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Janssen-Cilag International NV, a Johnson & Johnson company, today announced the submission of an extension of indication application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) seeking approval of AKEEGA® (niraparib and abiraterone acetate) with prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations. mHSPC is a form of prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, but still responds to hormone therapy.2 While the treatment landscape has advanced in recent years, almost all patients eventually develop resistance to therapy, and the disease progresses to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) – an aggressive and currently incurable disease stage.3 Over 20 percent of patients with mHSPC have HRR gene alterations, including alterations in BRCA1/2, which have been shown to negatively impact outcomes.4 These patients have an unmet medical need which existing therapies do not address.4 'Despite significant progress in prostate cancer, individuals with HRR gene alterations often face limited treatment options, faster onset of symptoms and poorer outcomes,' said Henar Hevia, Ph.D., Senior Director, EMEA Therapy Area Head, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'With this submission to the EMA, we have the opportunity to offer patients with HRR-mutated mHSPC a treatment specifically targeted to the underlying biology of their disease. Pending approval, this niraparib-based combination will help redefine the standard of care for this high-risk population, significantly delaying the time to their cancer progressing. This milestone reflects our commitment to advancing precision medicine in earlier stages of disease.' The submission was supported by data from the Phase 3 AMPLITUDE study (NCT04497844), evaluating the efficacy and safety of niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone (AAP) for the treatment of patients with mHSPC with HRR gene alterations, versus placebo plus AAP.1,5 The study demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant outcomes in the primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), and the key secondary endpoint of time to symptomatic progression (TSP), with an early trend toward improved overall survival (OS) – highlighting the clinical benefits of niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone in delaying both cancer progression and the worsening of symptoms versus the current standard of care.1 AMPLITUDE is the first study to show the efficacy of combining a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor and androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) in this patient population.1 The safety profile of niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone is consistent with that observed in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), for which niraparib and abiraterone acetate is currently approved.1,6 The most common Grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) with the niraparib combination were anaemia and hypertension; however, treatment discontinuations due to AEs remained low.1 'At Johnson & Johnson, we remain committed to addressing the needs of individual patients by pushing the boundaries of science and innovation to deliver more personalised and effective treatment options at every stage of the prostate cancer journey,' said Charles Drake, M.D., Ph.D., FAAP, Vice President, Prostate Cancer and Immunotherapy Disease Area Leader, at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'The fixed dose combination of niraparib and abiraterone acetate has already had a positive impact in shifting the treatment paradigm for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and we now look forward to extending this benefit to those with hormone-sensitive disease.' Results from the AMPLITUDE study were presented as a late-breaking oral presentation (Abstract #LBA5006) at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and selected for inclusion in the Best of ASCO and the ASCO Press Programme.1 About AMPLITUDE AMPLITUDE (NCT04497844) is an ongoing, Phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international, multicentre study evaluating the efficacy and safety of niraparib and abiraterone acetate in a dual action tablet (DAT) formulation with prednisone plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) compared to matching oral placebo/abiraterone acetate in a DAT formulation with prednisone plus ADT in patients with deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-altered metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).5 The primary endpoint is radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS).5 The study enrolled 696 participants from 32 countries.1 About Niraparib and Abiraterone Acetate This orally administered, dual action tablet (DAT) consists of a combination of niraparib, a highly selective poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, and abiraterone acetate, a CYP17 inhibitor.5,7 Niraparib combined with abiraterone acetate and given with prednisone or prednisolone was approved in April 2023 in the European Economic Area for the treatment of patients with BRCA-mutated mCRPC6 in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated. Niraparib and abiraterone acetate is also approved in the USA, Canada, Switzerland, United Kingdom and many more. Additional marketing authorisation applications are under review across a number of countries globally. In April 2016, Janssen Biotech, Inc. entered into a worldwide (except Japan) collaboration and license agreement with TESARO, Inc. (acquired by GSK in 2019), for exclusive rights to niraparib in prostate cancer.8 About Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), also known as metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), refers to prostate cancer that still responds to ADT and has spread to other parts of the body.2 About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at Follow us at Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Janssen-Cilag, S.A. are Johnson & Johnson companies. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of niraparib and abiraterone acetate. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behaviour and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned 'Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' and 'Item 1A. Risk Factors,' and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. © Janssen-Cilag International NV 2025. All rights reserved. ### References Attard G et al. Phase 3 AMPLITUDE trial: niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer patients with alterations in homologous recombination repair genes. 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. 3 June 2025. National Cancer Institute. Hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Online. Available at: Last accessed June 2025. Last accessed June 2025. Narayan V et al. Treatment Patterns and Survival Outcomes Among Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitor-Experienced Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Clinical Genitourinary Cancer. 2024. 22(6):1-14. Olmos D et al. BRCA1/2 and homologous recombination repair alterations in high- and low-volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: prevalence and impact on outcomes. Annals of Oncology. 2025. doi: 10.1016/ A Study of Niraparib in Combination With Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone Versus Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone for the Treatment of Participants With Deleterious Germline or Somatic Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) Gene-Mutated Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mCSPC) (AMPLITUDE). Available at: Last accessed June 2025. Janssen EMEA. Janssen Marks First Approval Worldwide for AKEEGA® (Niraparib and Abiraterone Acetate Dual Action Tablet) with EC Authorisation for the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer with BRCA1/2 Mutations. Available at: Last accessed June 2025. AKEEGA Summary of Product Characteristics. August 2024. Available at: Last accessed June 2025. Janssen Enters Worldwide Collaboration and License Agreement with TESARO, Inc., for Niraparib in Prostate Cancer. Available at: Last accessed June 2025. CP-526340 July 2025 CONTACT: Media contact: Laura Coughlan lcoughl5@ +358 87 147 9356 Investor contact: Raychel Kruper investor-relations@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
Dad Lost 3 Toenails Preparing for 100-Mile Race. But It's Worth It to Honor Brothers Who Died by Suicide Years Apart
Dr. Patrick McEnaney was 12 years old when his brother Kevin died by suicide in 1985. About a decade later, his brother Dan also took his own life Now, Patrick is preparing for his seventh 100-mile race to raise funds for a suicide prevention program "It's a program that I wish was around when I was growing up," the surgeon tells PEOPLEDr. Patrick McEnaney was 12 when his older brother died by suicide in 1985. Eleven years later, while he was in his third year of medical school, his other brother also took his own life. Now 52, Patrick is honoring them both as he prepares for the Western States Endurance Run, the oldest 100-mile trail race in the world, which starts on Saturday, June 28, in Olympic Valley, Calif. — and ends 30 hours later in Auburn. His goal? To raise $30,000 for suicide prevention and mental health care access for young people and families in his home state of Massachusetts. Specifically, he's fundraising for Riverside Community Care, a community-based nonprofit that offers behavioral healthcare and human services, and implements the SOS Signs of Suicide program in schools across the United States. 'It's a program that I wish was around when I was growing up because suicide has always been the thing that you don't talk about,' Patrick, a surgeon at UMass Memorial Health, Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford, tells PEOPLE. Patrick has been running to support such programs for the past 15 years and has raised more than $100,000 for Riverside alone. He says that if he and his family had better understood the signs of suicide and how to respond before his 16-year-old brother Kevin died in the 1980s, 'my life would be very different right now.' The McEnaney boys — Kevin, Dan and Patrick – grew up in West Boylston, a small town in Worcester County. Patrick looked up to his older brothers and remembers the day that he caught a rainbow trout after Kevin taught him how to bait his own hook. 'I just remember the look on his face when I caught that fish, and we put it in our little lunch box,' says Patrick, who took the fish home for their mom to cook for that night's dinner. His older brothers also had fun teasing him, but that changed before Kevin's death. Patrick remembers finding his brother lying in bed with self-inflicted cuts on his chest one night in 1985. When the young boy touched his brother to see if he was still alive, Kevin grabbed Patrick's hand. "Don't tell mom or dad,' Patrick remembers Kevin telling him. Despite the warning, Patrick, then 12, told his parents the following week. 'I don't think that they knew what to do as well,' he says. A week after that, the eldest McEnaney brother died by suicide. 'It was painful for many years,' says Patrick of the impact on his family. His father moved out three months later and while he was still a present force in their lives, Patrick and Dan were primarily raised by their mom, a pharmacist. For the next decade, Patrick had a recurring dream of getting off a school bus, but Kevin stayed on, no matter how much Patrick pleaded with him. Dan was also devastated. About a decade later, in 1996, Patrick was in his third year of medical school, on his psychiatry rotation, when he grew concerned for about Dan, then 26, who was "going through some tough times." 'I could tell every time I called him that his head was not in the right place,' says Patrick, who drove an hour and a half to see Dan. At dinner, Patrick asked his older brother if he wanted to end his life. Upset that he'd posed the question, Dan told Patrick that he was 'fine.' 'You and I both lived through absolute hell for 10 years,' Patrick remembers Dan telling him. 'Do you honestly think that I would ever put you through that? I know how painful that was, and I can't do that to you." A week after that emotional conversation, Dan was dead. In the wake of Dan's death, Patrick says that he focused on medical school and his surgical residency, which 'helped bury' the pain. When he met his wife Tracy — a respiratory therapist — in the summer of 1999, Patrick says he knew she was "the one" after their second date. She also shared a birthday with Dan and his girlfriend. By that October, Tracy and Patrick were married and since then have been busy raising the two daughters and the two sons that they share. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While his family brings him joy, Patrick says that running brings him 'peace of mind' and reminds him of running track with Dan in high school. In 2011, Patrick ran his first race for suicide prevention before he transitioned to ultramarathons. The race on June 28, which will involve climbs of more than 18,000 feet and intense summer heat, is Patrick's seventh 100-mile race. On average, he can finish that distance in 27 hours when competing, he says. The surgeon has been training by running at the gym, interspersed with trips to the sauna to prepare for the more than 100 degree temperatures. So far he's lost 23 lbs. and three toenails, but says it's worth it. For Patrick, the test of endurance makes him feel closer to the brothers he lost. He wants to help ensure that other families won't go through that same, life-altering pain. 'I know that every step of the way that my brothers are with me,' says Patrick. 'I'm going to fight to get across that finish line, no matter what.' If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to Read the original article on People
