Built to Last: SWFL men inspired to take charge of health, wellness
The Floridant/10322971

NAPLES, Fla. - Floridant -- A parade of distinguished physicians and researchers spent an entire morning encouraging Southwest Florida men to take a more active role in their overall wellness, focusing specifically on prostate health, cancer prevention and cancer treatment.

A first-of-its-kind health forum, Built to Last: Men's Health & Wellness Summit was held Nov. 8 at the Hilton Naples and featured eight presentations followed by a Q&A discussion. More than 120 men and women registered for the complimentary event, which urged attendees to make lifestyle changes to enhance their overall health and reduce their cancer risks.

"The best cancer treatment is prevention and early detection," said Dr. Todd Pezzi, associate director at Southwest Florida Proton and a radiation oncologist at Inspire Oncology and Advocate Radiation Oncology.

Event sponsors included Inspire Oncology, Precision Healthcare Specialists, Inspire Exercise Medicine, Naples Concierge Health, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute and the Collier County Medical Society.

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The following speakers delivered presentations and participated in a panel discussion:

• Dr. Marc Guttman of Precision Healthcare Specialists covered benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and encouraged attendees to pay attention to changes in their bodies and bodily functions: "Those are your signs to come and get checked out."
• Dr. Harry Tsai of Precision Healthcare Specialists outlined prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing while encouraging men to get regular screenings: "If you look at the top five cancers in men, three of the five are urologic cancers."
• Dr. Elliot Blau of Precision Healthcare Specialists addressed robotic surgery and fears that urologic conditions will disrupt quality of life: "You will not be wearing diapers or Depends for the rest of your life."
• Dr. Todd Pezzi of Southwest Florida Proton, Inspire Oncology and Advocate Radiation Oncology focused on superior outcomes using proton therapy to treat cancer: "It's a fundamentally different way of treating cancer."
• Dr. Raju Vaddepally of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute spoke about emerging therapies and metastatic prostate cancer, noting the degree to which research and technology have improved: "We're looking at a more precision-based approach to treatment."
• Dr. Bruce Roy of Precision Healthcare Specialists reviewed the benefits of sleep and long-term impacts of getting enough rest: "Sleep is one-third of your life, so it's obviously important. If you're tired, go to bed."
• Dr. Jonathan Marsh of Naples Concierge Health and Physicians Regional Healthcare System noted the importance of creating a foundation of enduring wellness: "It's never too late to start. It's never too early to start."
• Ciaran Fairman, Ph.D., of Inspire Exercise Medicine, explored how exercise medicine is redefining health care and is now a prescription for better health: "We want you to live your best quality of life for as long as you can."

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