News

UCPA encourages you to join the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) for two special events.

The Virtual Walk to End Bladder Cancer will be held online on Saturday, October 3, at 11 a.m. ET. A special Virtual Walk broadcast will take place on BCAN’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels at 11 a.m. ET.

BCAN will hold it’s first-ever Virtual Bladder Cancer Summit for Patients and Families on Saturday, October 10, at 1 p.m. ET. The event will offer content from leading doctors and special breakout sessions. Registration is required.

To participate in these special events, please visit https://bcan.org/walk-and-talk-with-us-in-2020/.

Donations to the Bladder Care Advocacy Network fund bladder cancer research, raises awareness of bladder cancer, and provide free education and support services to patients and caregivers.

Join us this Friday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. EST, for the Harrisburg 2020 ZERO Prostate Cancer Virtual Celebration! Tune in on Facebook or at zerocancer.run/harrisburg. We will have inspirational speakers, recognize patients, survivors and caregivers, and celebrate the many ways funds from this event will benefit prostate cancer patients and families.

Prostate cancer survivor Michael Rotz discussed the upcoming event on abc27’s Good Day PA with Brett Thackara. Watch his interview here and remember to join us online!

UCPA is proud to offer Prostate Cancer Screenings (PSA blood tests and DRE – Digital Rectal Exams) for men over the age of 45 who have not been screened previously. To schedule your free screening, call our offices at 717-763-1174 (Camp Hill) or 717-724-0720 (Harrisburg).

Urology of Central PA now offers new solutions for patients who suffer from incontinence thanks to technology advancements in sacral neuromodulations (SNM) therapy from Medtronic.

UCPA physicians have used InterStim technology for years to treat overactive bladder (OAB), incontinence and fecal incontinence. Recently, the FDA approved the new InterStim™ Micro neurostimulator and InterStim SureScan™ MRI leads and UCPA physicians, Dr. Vanessa Elliott and Dr. Peter Tucker, were able to use the new technology to increase the quality of life for patients in Central PA.

InterStim Micro — the market’s smallest rechargeable sacral neuromodulation therapy device — treats overactive bladder (OAB), fecal incontinence (FI) and non-obstructive urinary retention. The InterStim SureScan MRI leads are used with InterStim Micro and with the recharge-free InterStim II, and allow conditional full-body 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI scans*.

Patients and physicians now have a choice in InterStim systems — both with conditional full-body MRI — to match the patient’s preferences, lifestyle and treatment goals. The InterStim™ II recharge-free system offers patients freedom from a recharging routine and the hassle of recharging components. The new rechargeable InterStim™ Micro system may be preferred by patients who want a smaller, longer lasting device.

The new InterStim™ Micro:

• Is 50% smaller (2.8 cm³) than the market’s other rechargeable SNM device and is 80% smaller than InterStim II.
• Can be recharged once a week, or as infrequently as once per month, depending on the patient’s preference or device settings.
• Does not require impedance checks prior to an MRI scan.
• Can recharge from zero to 100% in less than an hour.
• Reduces the need for battery replacement surgeries due to its life of 15 years.

“Effective long-term bladder and bowel control is an unmet medical need by many in the Central PA area who experience regular accidents and/or frequency issues associated with overactive bladder and fecal incontinence. It can significantly impact all aspects of a person’s quality of life – self-confidence, exercise, activities and even intimacy,” said Vanessa Elliott, M.D.

Peter Tucker, M.D., shared, “By partnering with Medtronic and using new advancements in technology, like their InterStim Micro ™, Urology of Central PA provides patients a better quality of life.”

Not every patient receives the same benefit, and there are potential risks, which may include surgical, device and stimulation risks. See full safety information.

To learn more about UCPA’s approach and treatment options for incontinence and overactive bladder, contact us today!

Urology of Central Pennsylvania constantly looks for opportunities to save our patients time and money. One opportunity we have found is through the Good Rx program.

The Good Rx app discounts can be better than Highmark/Express Scripts pricing with retail pharmacies. By using the Good Rx app, patients can minimize out of pocket expenses for prescriptions and may be able to submit expenses to Express Scripts to be applied to deductibles if you utilize a HSA.

Learn more via the Good Rx flyer below. An Express Scripts claim form is shared below as well.

Please note: if you use a Express Scripts claim form, you must have the pharmacist sign the claim form, so have it printed and ready when you pick up your prescription. You can ask for the cost comparison at the pharmacy as well.

In August 2020, Urology of Central Pennsylvania’s Dr. R. Scott Owens received the designation as a UroLift® Center of Excellence physician. Dr. Owens is the first and only Center of Excellence designee in central Pennsylvania and one of only five designees in the state of Pennsylvania.

UroLift®’s Center of Excellence designation is awarded when physicians achieve a higher level of training and experience with the UroLift® System and have demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH.

To learn more about Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, click here.

To learn more about Dr. R. Scott Owens, click here.

For more information about the UroLift® System, click here.

Urology of Central Pennsylvania and ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer are partnering for the first-ever virtual celebration of our annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk on Friday, September 25. This inspiring day traditionally encourages and supports local prostate cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

This year’s event digital gathering will replace the ZERO Cancer Run/Walk that was initially planned as an in-person event, but retain a community feel and spirit of hope with live interviews, performances, unique activities outdoors and more. Specific event details will be released closer to Friday, September 25.

“While COVID-19 is changing how we get together, it is not changing our passion and dedication to support patients and families through this crisis and celebrate community,” said Jamie Bearse, ZERO CEO and President.

The impact of the pandemic has been significant on prostate cancer patients, survivors and caregivers both financially and emotionally. The ZERO Prostate Cancer Run will show love and support to these families during this difficult time.

Registration for the first-ever virtual Harrisburg ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk Celebration is free. Custom event shirts are available for a donation of $40. Registrants are encouraged to fundraise leading up to the event. All funds raised will provide direct support to local prostate cancer patients and families.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/2EL7Pre. Please join us to make a difference!

About ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer
ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer. ZERO advances research, improves the lives of men and families, and inspires action. We’re building Generation ZERO, the first generation of men free from prostate cancer, through our national run/walk series, education and patient support programs, and grassroots advocacy. ZERO is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, with regional chapters across the country. We dedicate 86 cents of every dollar to research and programs. For more information, visit zerocancer.org.

For men suffering from frequent urination during the day and night, urgency, or difficulty going, you may have Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH. This condition affects more than 40 million men in the U.S. and we see many men in their 40s, 50s, and older with symptoms of BPH. Though BPH negatively impacts men’s quality of life, suffering is unnecessary. Effective treatment options are available. Join us for a virtual men’s health seminar on Thusday, August 13, at either 11:30 a.m. or 7 p.m. This seminar will share more about BPH treatment options, including the UroLift (R) System, that may help relieve your symptoms.

To register, visit www.UroLift.com/Seminar.

By “Cancer Survivor Al”

Recognizing symptoms, one by one
A deer tick infection, just begun
Set up an appointment with Dr Gus
A blood sample drawn, an identifying must
Results positive, Lyme back in play
Another result, an elevated PSA
A Urologist visit needed, a prostate exam
Biopsy called for, part of a plan
Awaiting results, a bad vibe felt
Early stage cancer, a bad blow dealt
A shot, medication, bringing testosterone down
Then eight weeks of radiation, reason to frown
All things considered, I still feel quite good
Life is a challenge, not always understood
Heart of my Hearts, says I’ll have more good years
For laughing, crying, loving and a few Yuengling beers!

Urology of Central Pennsylvania is now offering the use of Nitrous Oxide for minimal sedation during office procedures, such as vasectomies, prostate biopsies, Rezum, Urolift, and other procedures.

Nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” is a colorless, odorless gas that may be used during procedures for relaxation and anxiety relief. It is opioid-free, narcotic-free and is non-addictive. Patients utilizing our new minimal sedation Nitrous Oxide service will not require a driver and may drive themselves home following the procedure.

Minimal sedation with Nitrous Oxide is not covered by insurance. Patients who are interested in having Nitrous Oxide during their procedure must sign a consent form and an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) and pay out-of-pocket for the service. Minimal sedation Nitrous Oxide services are available at both the Harrisburg and Camp Hill UCPA locations.

To learn more about our new Nitrous Oxide services and any associated costs, please call our offices at (717) 724-0720 (Harrisburg) or (717) 763-1174 (Camp Hill).

Working with MicroGen DX, Urology of Central PA now proudly offers a fast, accurate and comprehensive diagnostic test to identify microbes causing chronic urological infections. The two-part test extracts DNA from patient samples and compares it to a database of more than 25,000 species to accurately identify offending microbes. Armed with this new information, our physicians make the most appropriate treatment decisions, resulting in better outcomes and faster pain relief.

Since 1880, the predominate diagnostic tool for identifying microbes has been via traditional cultures that attempt to grow the microbes in a laboratory setting. Unfortunately, testing has identified that less than 1% of microbes grow in cultures, inhibiting proper diagnoses and extending healing time.

UCPA’s work with MicroGen DX Labs provides superior diagnostics with the new two-part test. First, UCPA’s lab will perform an initial urology PCR test to identify the most common bacteria in the infection. Second, a follow-up test called Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) will identify bacteria and/or fungus that were not found in the initial panel and may be contributing to the urological infection. Advancements in genomic testing provide 99.9% accuracy in the detection of all microbes within a urological infection for targeted treatment decisions.

Testing is easy. Our staff will collect a urine sample at our offices and run it through rapid detection. Our physicians will then determine whether the sample should be sent to the MicroGen DX Laboratory for the NGS test. Test results should be returned in approximately 3 – 5 business days.

Patient costs for the two-part test may vary depending on patient insurance.

If you are dealing with chronic urological infections, please ask your UCPA physician about the new MicroGen DX test. For questions, call our offices at 717-724-0720 or 717-763-1174.