Kip Lord Bodi, MD

During his days as a urology resident at the Geisinger Clinic in Pennsylvania, Kip Lord Bodi, MD, diagnosed numerous cases of prostate cancer. Dr. Bodi's residency took place during the early 1980s, when most men were diagnosed only after a digital rec-tal examination revealed an abnormality and the disease had progressed to a point where effective treatments were often unavailable. Much has changed over the 16 years that Dr. Bodi has been in practice in the Huntington community.

"Now we have the PSA test which helps us make earlier diagnoses, we can offer screening examinations, and people are more educated about this disease," he noted. "That's why I became interested in coordinating Huntington Hospital's prostate screening. Early detection often enables us to offer men with prostate cancer a cure."

While these advances have improved the odds of survival for men diagnosed with prostate cancer, the statistics are nonetheless alarming. A new case of prostate cancer is diagnosed every three minutes, and a man's lifetime risk of getting the disease is one in six. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, claiming a life every 17 minutes. For African American men, the numbers are even grimmer - they lead the world in prostate cancer incidence.

Dr. Bodi organizes his colleagues from the Department of Urology who volunteer their time at Huntington Hospital's annual free Prostate Cancer Screening. The screening involves a simple blood test to measure prostate specific antigen, or PSA, a chemical that is linked to prostate cancer. In addition, participants undergo a painless digital rectal examination and receive information and education about the early detection of prostate disease.

"Over the years, it has always struck me that educated patients are the healthiest," Dr. Bodi stated. "People are more proactive once they have a disease. When a patient is diagnosed with prostate cancer, he gets on the Internet and learns everything there is to know about it. Gathering information before diagnosis, becoming knowledgeable about early detection, and PSA screening are necessary elements of prevention. And prevention is always better than a cure."

Dr. Bodi's interest in prevention extends to a clinical study taking place in conjunction with North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. Called the SELECT study, for SELenium and Vitamin E Cancer Trial, it focuses on the potential role of nutritional supplements in preventing prostate cancer.

"I'm always concerned when I hear that someone is not seeking medical attention because they are selfdosing with over-the-counter nutritional supplements without any scientific rationale behind them," Dr. Bodi said. "However, I think it pays to keep an open mind regarding nutritional supplements. The SELECT study is a rational approach, taking into account family history and risk factors, while ensuring that participants see a physician regularly for medical testing and screening."

To encourage regular medical screenings as part of routine preventive healthcare, this past year Huntington's Prostate Cancer Screening was incorporated into a general Men's Health Screening. Participants were screened for colorectal cancer and oral cancer, as well as prostate disease. The screening has been sponsored by the Huntington Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the past several years.

"We have knowledge of risk factors that make people prone to certain diseases. For example, cigarette smoking and alcohol use may predispose a person to develop certain cancers," Dr. Bodi asserted. "There is a huge body of knowledge about early detection and prevention. My main interest is in getting the word out."

Dr. Bodi is a graduate of Allegheny College. His urology residency at the Geisinger Clinic took place after two years of surgical training at Stony Brook. Dr. Bodi is Board-certified in Urology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the Suffolk County and New York State Medical Societies. In addition to maintaining a private practice in Huntington, Dr. Bodi frequently provides urologic care for residents of local nursing homes.

Dr. Bodi is a graduate of Allegheny College. His urology residency at the Geisinger Clinic took place after two years of surgical training at Stony Brook. Dr. Bodi is Board-certified in Urology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the Suffolk County and New York State Medical Societies. In addition to mainta7ining a private practice in Huntington, Dr. Bodi frequently provides urologic care for residents of local nursing homes. Dr. Bodi is married to Christine Bodi, RN, an operating room nurse at Huntington Hospital. Between them they are a family of seven children, and if they had spare time, they would enjoy sailing and water sports.

More information from the National Cancer Institute

MARCH 2002