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StevenTuckerMD
(Physician
- Oncology - Hematology/Oncology
(Verified)
)
| Communities: Breast Cancer , Prostate Cancer , Urinary and Bladder Cancer , Kidney and Renal Cancer | Thank You's: 1 |
| Member Since: Feb. 2012 | Questions: 0 |
| Answers: 8 |
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Professional Statement
Dr. Steven Tucker is a cancer specialist with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of cancers at all stages, including cancer screening and prevention. He was previously in private practice in Los Angeles and moved to Singapore permanently in 2006. Dr. Tucker has always practiced in the private setting in Singapore and was the founding Medical Director of the Pacific Cancer Centre. Currently, Dr. Tucker is a Senior Consultant Oncologist in his own private practice in Singapore, Tucker Medical. Tucker Medical evaluates and treats patients from around the world.
While Dr. Tucker is a sub-specialist in the treatment of both breast and prostate cancer, he is also deeply passionate about prevention of cancer and chronic disease through healthy lifestyle choices. In addition to contemporary medical care and screening, he advocates that simple and smart choices about food, activity (not just recreational sports), spirit, passion, as well as tailored dietary supplements, can have a significant impact on your health and longevity.
Before relocating to Singapore in 2006, Dr. Tucker was the Director of the Prostate & Genitourinary Oncology Program at The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in Santa Monica, California. Additionally, Dr. Tucker served as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine and Attending Physician at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Prior to his appointment at UCLA, Dr. Tucker was a member of the Breast Cancer Faculty at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Los Angeles.
A lifelong competitive athlete, since moving to Singapore in 2006, Dr. Tucker added cycling and triathlons to his training agenda. In addition to his medical practice, he is a sought after speaker and writer, competitive cyclist, and Ironman 70.3 triathlete. More recently, Dr. Tucker co-founded the Singapore-based regionally-competitive cycling team, Team Life Extension. In both his oncology and general medicine practice, Dr. Tucker combines state-of-the-art testing and medicine with a common sense approach to chronic disease. A customized and personalized approach is the way Dr. Tucker faces both illness and wellness.
US board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Dr. Tucker earned his Medical Degree in 1994 from University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Medicine, competed his postdoctoral training in Internal Medicine, Oncology, Hematology, and Stem Cell Transplantation at the UCLA Center for Health Sciences and was appointed Guest Investigator at the Rockefeller University in New York City. Dr. Tucker has received numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Merit Aware from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, a Commendation from the US National Institutes of Health, the UCLA 'STAR' Program Award, a Pew Foundation Fellowship and the University of Missouri Medical Scholarship. In 2006, Dr. Tucker was elected by his peers as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Since moving to Singapore, he has been elected as a Fellow in the prestigious Singapore Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Tucker, and his wife, Asa Tucker, are Permanent Residents of Singapore, where they reside with their children ages 12 and 13.
While Dr. Tucker is a sub-specialist in the treatment of both breast and prostate cancer, he is also deeply passionate about prevention of cancer and chronic disease through healthy lifestyle choices. In addition to contemporary medical care and screening, he advocates that simple and smart choices about food, activity (not just recreational sports), spirit, passion, as well as tailored dietary supplements, can have a significant impact on your health and longevity.
Before relocating to Singapore in 2006, Dr. Tucker was the Director of the Prostate & Genitourinary Oncology Program at The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in Santa Monica, California. Additionally, Dr. Tucker served as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine and Attending Physician at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Prior to his appointment at UCLA, Dr. Tucker was a member of the Breast Cancer Faculty at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Los Angeles.
A lifelong competitive athlete, since moving to Singapore in 2006, Dr. Tucker added cycling and triathlons to his training agenda. In addition to his medical practice, he is a sought after speaker and writer, competitive cyclist, and Ironman 70.3 triathlete. More recently, Dr. Tucker co-founded the Singapore-based regionally-competitive cycling team, Team Life Extension. In both his oncology and general medicine practice, Dr. Tucker combines state-of-the-art testing and medicine with a common sense approach to chronic disease. A customized and personalized approach is the way Dr. Tucker faces both illness and wellness.
US board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Dr. Tucker earned his Medical Degree in 1994 from University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Medicine, competed his postdoctoral training in Internal Medicine, Oncology, Hematology, and Stem Cell Transplantation at the UCLA Center for Health Sciences and was appointed Guest Investigator at the Rockefeller University in New York City. Dr. Tucker has received numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Merit Aware from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, a Commendation from the US National Institutes of Health, the UCLA 'STAR' Program Award, a Pew Foundation Fellowship and the University of Missouri Medical Scholarship. In 2006, Dr. Tucker was elected by his peers as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Since moving to Singapore, he has been elected as a Fellow in the prestigious Singapore Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Tucker, and his wife, Asa Tucker, are Permanent Residents of Singapore, where they reside with their children ages 12 and 13.
Professional Info
Credential:
MD
Primary specialty:
Oncology - Hematology/Oncology
Medical school:
University of Missouri-Columbia
Residency:
UCLA Center for Health Sciences
Fellowship:
UCLA Center for Health Sciences
Practice name:
Tucker Medical
Practice address:
8 Sinarian Drive Novena Specialist Center
, Singapore
307470
Practice phone number:
+65 6659 6918
Webpage:
http://tucker-medical.com
StevenTuckerMD Activities
Again, not useful. I typically do not order it. There are better way to determine who needs a prostate biopsy but it requires a discussion, not a blood test.
Again, not useful. I typically do not order it. There are better way to determine who needs a prostate biopsy but it requires a discussion, not a blood test.
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
1 month ago
It is better than the PSA test but it is not very good. We do not have a reliable or useful test for prostate cancer screening at this time.
It is better than the PSA test but it is not very good. We do not have a reliable or useful test for prostate cancer screening at this time.
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
1 month ago
Depends on the situation. Specifically, depends on the pathology results (by an expert), baseline PSA, PSA velocity, time to PSA recurrence, concurrent illnesses and age of the patient.
The treatment choices span from doing nothing (often a great choice) to radiation to intermittent hormone therapy. For some men with recurrence after surgery lifestyle changes alone can be the smartest decision (meditation, yoga, vegan diet, pomegranate or other supplements).
Also remember that the vast majority of men with PSA recurrence after surgery are destined to die from HEART DISEASE! So before you do anything get a great, intensive cardiac evaluation. Welose more men with prostate cancer to heart disease than we do to prostate cancer.
No prostate treatment should be given if it is not heart healthy, in my opinion.
Depends on the situation. Specifically, depends on the pathology results (by an expert), baseline PSA, PSA velocity, time to PSA recurrence, concurrent illnesses and age of the patient.
The treatment choices span from doing nothing (often a great choice) to radiation to intermittent hormone therapy. For some men with recurrence after surgery lifestyle changes alone can be the smartest decision (meditation, yoga, vegan diet, pomegranate or other supplements).
Also remember that the vast majority of men with PSA recurrence after surgery are destined to die from HEART DISEASE! So before you do anything get a great, intensive cardiac evaluation. Welose more men with prostate cancer to heart disease than we do to prostate cancer.
No prostate treatment should be given if it is not heart healthy, in my opinion.
The treatment choices span from doing nothing (often a great choice) to radiation to intermittent hormone therapy. For some men with recurrence after surgery lifestyle changes alone can be the smartest decision (meditation, yoga, vegan diet, pomegranate or other supplements).
Also remember that the vast majority of men with PSA recurrence after surgery are destined to die from HEART DISEASE! So before you do anything get a great, intensive cardiac evaluation. Welose more men with prostate cancer to heart disease than we do to prostate cancer.
No prostate treatment should be given if it is not heart healthy, in my opinion.
Depends on the situation. Specifically, depends on the pathology results (by an expert), baseline PSA, PSA velocity, time to PSA recurrence, concurrent illnesses and age of the patient.
The treatment choices span from doing nothing (often a great choice) to radiation to intermittent hormone therapy. For some men with recurrence after surgery lifestyle changes alone can be the smartest decision (meditation, yoga, vegan diet, pomegranate or other supplements).
Also remember that the vast majority of men with PSA recurrence after surgery are destined to die from HEART DISEASE! So before you do anything get a great, intensive cardiac evaluation. Welose more men with prostate cancer to heart disease than we do to prostate cancer.
No prostate treatment should be given if it is not heart healthy, in my opinion.
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
1 month ago
In my experience, hormone therapy is useful in almost all situations but it is often both under and over used. Hormone therapy is incredibly effective, more effective than the vast majority of chemotherapy in ANY cancer. But hormone therapy should be used intermittently whenever possible. Chronic hormone therapy should be avoided unless absolutely needed.
I use hormone therapy in very early disease as well as advanced disease. Hormone therapy is so good these days that I often do not need to use chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer.
In my experience, hormone therapy is useful in almost all situations but it is often both under and over used. Hormone therapy is incredibly effective, more effective than the vast majority of chemotherapy in ANY cancer. But hormone therapy should be used intermittently whenever possible. Chronic hormone therapy should be avoided unless absolutely needed.
I use hormone therapy in very early disease as well as advanced disease. Hormone therapy is so good these days that I often do not need to use chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer.
I use hormone therapy in very early disease as well as advanced disease. Hormone therapy is so good these days that I often do not need to use chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer.
In my experience, hormone therapy is useful in almost all situations but it is often both under and over used. Hormone therapy is incredibly effective, more effective than the vast majority of chemotherapy in ANY cancer. But hormone therapy should be used intermittently whenever possible. Chronic hormone therapy should be avoided unless absolutely needed.
I use hormone therapy in very early disease as well as advanced disease. Hormone therapy is so good these days that I often do not need to use chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer.
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
1 month ago
I recommend all of the above. I believe that surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies all lead to an increase in breast cancer cure rates. I also do no think the ‘House of Medicine’ has all the answers and clearly lifestyle choices (see above) play a significant role in treating and preventing breast cancer. Integrative medicine looks at using any and all reasonable interventions to help patients achieve and maintain wellness.
My personal belief is that beyond conventional medicine there are 4 factors you must address for health: 1. What you eat (tailored nutritional advice for you, not a generic diet approach), 2. What you do (remain active in life, exercise daily, use stairs more, etc.), 3. Sleep 7-9 hours daily (you need to monitor your sleep, get a Lark or Zeo sleep monitor to learn about your sleep), and 4. Manage your mind (Tai-Chi, meditation, stress management techniques).
I recommend all of the above. I believe that surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies all lead to an increase in breast cancer cure rates. I also do no think the ‘House of Medicine’ has all the answers and clearly lifestyle choices (see above) play a significant role in treating and preventing breast cancer. Integrative medicine looks at using any and all reasonable interventions to help patients achieve and maintain wellness.
My personal belief is that beyond conventional medicine there are 4 factors you must address for health: 1. What you eat (tailored nutritional advice for you, not a generic diet approach), 2. What you do (remain active in life, exercise daily, use stairs more, etc.), 3. Sleep 7-9 hours daily (you need to monitor your sleep, get a Lark or Zeo sleep monitor to learn about your sleep), and 4. Manage your mind (Tai-Chi, meditation, stress management techniques).
My personal belief is that beyond conventional medicine there are 4 factors you must address for health: 1. What you eat (tailored nutritional advice for you, not a generic diet approach), 2. What you do (remain active in life, exercise daily, use stairs more, etc.), 3. Sleep 7-9 hours daily (you need to monitor your sleep, get a Lark or Zeo sleep monitor to learn about your sleep), and 4. Manage your mind (Tai-Chi, meditation, stress management techniques).
I recommend all of the above. I believe that surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies all lead to an increase in breast cancer cure rates. I also do no think the ‘House of Medicine’ has all the answers and clearly lifestyle choices (see above) play a significant role in treating and preventing breast cancer. Integrative medicine looks at using any and all reasonable interventions to help patients achieve and maintain wellness.
My personal belief is that beyond conventional medicine there are 4 factors you must address for health: 1. What you eat (tailored nutritional advice for you, not a generic diet approach), 2. What you do (remain active in life, exercise daily, use stairs more, etc.), 3. Sleep 7-9 hours daily (you need to monitor your sleep, get a Lark or Zeo sleep monitor to learn about your sleep), and 4. Manage your mind (Tai-Chi, meditation, stress management techniques).
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
1 month ago
Alcohol increases the risk of getting breast cancer AND alcohol increases the risk breast cancer will come back in breast cancer patients.
In my opinion this is no longer a topic of debate. This is fact.
What we argue about is the size of the risk. Consuming as little as one drink a day or less may raise a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Having up to one drink per day raised women's risk for the disease by 4 percent. Three or more drinks per day increased risk by 40 to 50 percent.
If I had breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol. If I was worried about getting breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol. Alcohol increases the risk of getting breast cancer AND alcohol increases the risk breast cancer will come back in breast cancer patients.
In my opinion this is no longer a topic of debate. This is fact.
What we argue about is the size of the risk. Consuming as little as one drink a day or less may raise a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Having up to one drink per day raised women's risk for the disease by 4 percent. Three or more drinks per day increased risk by 40 to 50 percent.
If I had breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol. If I was worried about getting breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol.
In my opinion this is no longer a topic of debate. This is fact.
What we argue about is the size of the risk. Consuming as little as one drink a day or less may raise a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Having up to one drink per day raised women's risk for the disease by 4 percent. Three or more drinks per day increased risk by 40 to 50 percent.
If I had breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol. If I was worried about getting breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol. Alcohol increases the risk of getting breast cancer AND alcohol increases the risk breast cancer will come back in breast cancer patients.
In my opinion this is no longer a topic of debate. This is fact.
What we argue about is the size of the risk. Consuming as little as one drink a day or less may raise a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Having up to one drink per day raised women's risk for the disease by 4 percent. Three or more drinks per day increased risk by 40 to 50 percent.
If I had breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol. If I was worried about getting breast cancer, I would not drink alcohol.
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
1 month ago
Assuming you are talking about adjuvant therapy here, the answer is split into pre and post menopausal women. Most premenopausal women are asked to start on Tamoxifen but some may get an AI plus a zoladex shot (to make them postmenopausal). In that case, the advice is 5 years. If you are premenopausal and start on Tamoxifen but then become postmenopausal, you may be switched to an AI for 5 years after 5 years of tamoxifen.
For postmenopausal women, it is typically 5 years of an AI only OR it could be 5 years of an AI AFTER 5 years of tamoxifen.
Assuming you are talking about adjuvant therapy here, the answer is split into pre and post menopausal women. Most premenopausal women are asked to start on Tamoxifen but some may get an AI plus a zoladex shot (to make them postmenopausal). In that case, the advice is 5 years. If you are premenopausal and start on Tamoxifen but then become postmenopausal, you may be switched to an AI for 5 years after 5 years of tamoxifen.
For postmenopausal women, it is typically 5 years of an AI only OR it could be 5 years of an AI AFTER 5 years of tamoxifen.
For postmenopausal women, it is typically 5 years of an AI only OR it could be 5 years of an AI AFTER 5 years of tamoxifen.
Assuming you are talking about adjuvant therapy here, the answer is split into pre and post menopausal women. Most premenopausal women are asked to start on Tamoxifen but some may get an AI plus a zoladex shot (to make them postmenopausal). In that case, the advice is 5 years. If you are premenopausal and start on Tamoxifen but then become postmenopausal, you may be switched to an AI for 5 years after 5 years of tamoxifen.
For postmenopausal women, it is typically 5 years of an AI only OR it could be 5 years of an AI AFTER 5 years of tamoxifen.
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified)) in topic(s) Anastrozole (Arimidex), Drugs, Breast Cancer, Hormonal Therapy, Hormonal Therapy Medications, Medications, Breast Cancer Medications, Menopause
1
Answer |
1 month ago
This is difficult to answer as asked because are we talking about metastatic breast cancer (MBC) or adjuvant therapy?
For MBC, the decision to change therapies is based on progression of disease. This could be clinical progression (meaning you feel worse in some measurable way), radiologic progression (the scans or images of your MBC are worse in a meaningful way), or serologic progression (evidence in your blood tests or tumor markers that MBC is getting worse).
For adjuvant therapy, some post-menopausal women who start on an AI may be asked by the doctor to switch to Tamoxifen to maximize the benefit of hormonal therapy. Some women may not be tolerant of the side effects of an AI and may switch to Tamoxifen also.
This is difficult to answer as asked because are we talking about metastatic breast cancer (MBC) or adjuvant therapy?
For MBC, the decision to change therapies is based on progression of disease. This could be clinical progression (meaning you feel worse in some measurable way), radiologic progression (the scans or images of your MBC are worse in a meaningful way), or serologic progression (evidence in your blood tests or tumor markers that MBC is getting worse).
For adjuvant therapy, some post-menopausal women who start on an AI may be asked by the doctor to switch to Tamoxifen to maximize the benefit of hormonal therapy. Some women may not be tolerant of the side effects of an AI and may switch to Tamoxifen also.
For MBC, the decision to change therapies is based on progression of disease. This could be clinical progression (meaning you feel worse in some measurable way), radiologic progression (the scans or images of your MBC are worse in a meaningful way), or serologic progression (evidence in your blood tests or tumor markers that MBC is getting worse).
For adjuvant therapy, some post-menopausal women who start on an AI may be asked by the doctor to switch to Tamoxifen to maximize the benefit of hormonal therapy. Some women may not be tolerant of the side effects of an AI and may switch to Tamoxifen also.
This is difficult to answer as asked because are we talking about metastatic breast cancer (MBC) or adjuvant therapy?
For MBC, the decision to change therapies is based on progression of disease. This could be clinical progression (meaning you feel worse in some measurable way), radiologic progression (the scans or images of your MBC are worse in a meaningful way), or serologic progression (evidence in your blood tests or tumor markers that MBC is getting worse).
For adjuvant therapy, some post-menopausal women who start on an AI may be asked by the doctor to switch to Tamoxifen to maximize the benefit of hormonal therapy. Some women may not be tolerant of the side effects of an AI and may switch to Tamoxifen also.
New answer by StevenTuckerMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified))
1
Answer |
1 month ago
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