Did you know there might be a better option than chemotherapy for treating muscle-invasive bladder cancer? This study looked at two treatments given before surgery: traditional cisplatin-based chemotherapy and a newer option, pembrolizumab (a type of immunotherapy). The results were eye-opening—patients who received pembrolizumab had a much higher chance of staying cancer-free two years after surgery (93.2% compared to 76.8% with chemotherapy).

So, what does this mean?

For eligible patients, immunotherapy might offer better outcomes than traditional chemotherapy. If you or your family member has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, these means potentially better outcomes for this very challenging and aggressive cancer with pembrolizumab

This week, someone asked me “Hi Dr. Rena. About 20 years ago I was treated for BPH. Lately I've been having symptoms of it again, but not all the time. Can BPH come and go?”. To answer that - yes, BPH symptoms can indeed fluctuate over time, even after previous treatment. While BPH is a progressive condition, its symptoms aren't always constant. Factors like fluid intake, medications, or even stress can influence symptom severity. It's possible you're experiencing a recurrence of BPH, but intermittent symptoms could also indicate other urological issues. I'd recommend keeping a symptom diary and scheduling an appointment with your urologist for an evaluation. They can assess if your symptoms warrant any new treatments.

I love hearing from you, so if there’s a question you’ve been wanting to ask, just let me know. Who knows? Your question might be the one I dive into next!

WHAT I’VE BEEN UP TO LATELY

I recently attended a Society meeting for my urology specialty and reconnected with my mentors. I feel very grateful to have trained with people who taught me to be an excellent surgeon and clinician, and most importantly, believed in me. Being a woman in a surgical specialty, particularly one that is male-dominated, can be challenging, but I was lucky to never feel unwelcome.

Mentors are so important—make sure to reach out to yours and let them know how much they mean to you.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY CHANNEL

In this video, I discussed how adjusting your diet could potentially help prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as prostate enlargement.

Quote: "Your diet might actually help prevent BPH. There’s so much we can do for our health to improve our quality of life and hopefully prevent chronic conditions like BPH."

Here are some quick takeaways

• Higher protein intake may decrease the risk of BPH by up to 33%.

• Reducing fat and red meat intake can lower the risk of BPH.

• Eating more vegetables, especially those rich in beta carotene, lutein, and vitamin C, can significantly reduce your chances of developing BPH.

Check out the full episode to dive deeper into these diet tips and start making healthier choices today!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY PODCAST

I had an eye-opening conversation with Matt Barr, who holds the record for the largest unaugmented penis. We discussed how his unique size isn't all it's cracked up to be and the realities of navigating life with it. Matt said something really surprising, he mentioned: "Having a larger size didn't make me more confident; it often left me feeling alienated."

We delved into some really important points like

• It's not all good: Matt shared experiences of rejection and discomfort from partners.

• Setting the record straight: Women often prefer average-sized, and size doesn't equal better.

• Comfort and communication: Strategies for making intimate encounters safe and enjoyable.

Matt and I didn’t hold back. His honesty offers a refreshing perspective you won't want to miss. Plus, check why listeners are saying “You explain things so well, I feel like I just finished a TED Talk.”

Don't forget to follow, share, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.