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PAGE 8 To advertise call (775)727-8787 September 2026
a retail price, and insurance companies nego-
tiate a price that’s usually much lower. In fact,
the charges that you see on a hospital bill have a
limited relationship with reality. There are also
generic versions available for less than $200.
Finally, there’s a pill (relugolix) that’s cheaper
and doesn’t produce the pain of the shot. It may
work slightly better and faster.

***

DEAR DR. ROACH: I hear there are ben-
efits to taking turmeric for arthritis. Can you
please tell me about it? -- F.R.
ANSWER: Turmeric has shown benefit as
a treatment for osteoarthritis -- the kind that

1. In 1980, who did Major League Baseball com- AN EXPENSIVE INJECTION IS most people get as they age. It isn’t a treatment
missioner Bowie Kuhn present with lifetime INDICATED FOR PROSTATE CANCER for inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid
passes to any major or minor league baseball or psoriatic arthritis, which requires urgent
game? DEAR DR. ROACH: About six years ago, treatment to prevent permanent joint damage.
2. Which team was set to join the American Bas- I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I chose This discussion refers only to osteoarthritis.
ketball Association in 1975, but played only to have a high-intensity focused ultrasound Across many trials, turmeric has shown to
three exhibition games before being expelled (HIFU), which ultimately wasn’t successful. I have the equivalent effectiveness of traditional
from the league due to financial woes? was told that surgery after an HIFU was a high- anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibupro-
3. He won a Super Bowl XXXVII ring as a run- fen or diclofenac (Voltaren). It appears superior
ning back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His risk option, so I chose to have radiation therapy to acetaminophen (Tylenol), even in a trial that
son, a wide receiver from USC, was chosen by to reduce the surgical risk of side effects like in- directly compared the two. Turmeric helped
the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of continence. Prior to the start of the treatments, most people with pain, stiffness and activity.
the 2020 NFL Draft. Who are they? I was given an injection of leuprolide, presum-
4. Where was the 1942 Rose Bowl played after be- ably to interfere with testosterone production. Although there are side effects that are associ-
ing relocated from California in the wake of the There’s also an injection that’s scheduled for a ated with turmeric, they’re generally mild. The
Pearl Harbor attack? couple of months after the completion of the ra- most common symptoms are gastrointestinal,
5. Name the Australian tennis player who won the diation. I asked if the second shot was necessary especially diarrhea, but some people note nau-
1987 Wimbledon gentlemen’s singles champi- and didn’t get a definite answer. sea or an upset stomach. The risk of side effects
onship. What’s your opinion? Not to mention, the isn’t much different from people taking a place-
6. In 1943, brothers Max, Doug and Reg Bentley cost of the first shot was $11,814, most of which bo (inactive) pill, and turmeric has significantly
played together on the same line for what NHL was paid for by insurance. It’s no wonder that in- fewer side effects than anti-inflammatory drugs
team? surance costs as much as it does. It can’t possibly (and even acetaminophen).
7. Long-distance runner Emil Zatopek won three Turmeric has been used as a spice for mil-
gold medals at the 1952 Helsinki Summer cost this much to manufacture the drug. -- E.B. lennia and is generally regarded as safe. The
Olympics competing for what country? ANSWER: I can’t answer your question active ingredient in turmeric -- curcumin -- is
Answers: about whether leuprolide is necessary for you
without knowing more about your type of often sold as a supplement, usually with anoth-
prostate cancer. For men with high-risk pros- er compound to improve its absorption such as
7. Czechoslovakia.
tate cancer, this hormone-blocking treatment piperine (an extract of black pepper).
5. Pat Cash. 6. The Chicago Blackhawks.
4. Duke Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
significantly improves the possibility of a good For my patients who want to try a supple-
Claws. 3. Michael Pittman and Michael Pittman Jr.
outcome. For men who are at a low risk or a “fa- ment for arthritis, I feel comfortable suggesting
1. The 52 hostages freed by Iran. 2. The Baltimore
vorable intermediate” risk, testosterone-block- that they try turmeric or its extract, curcumin.
ing drugs usually aren’t recommended. I suspect In my opinion, at least a two-week trial is need-
that you have a less-favorable intermediate risk, ed to see if there’s a benefit or if there are any
where four to six months of testosterone-block- side effects. A pain diary before and after start-
ing treatment is usually given. ing the medicine can help a person see if they’re
The insurance cost that you were quoted is really receiving a benefit.

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