In The Media…
Authority Magazine
October 06, 2021
When creating the PrecisionPoint™ Transperineal Access System, Dr. Matthew Allaway sought to provide a biopsy option that would address many of the challenges associated with traditional biopsy approaches including pain, bleeding and urinary retention. The transperineal approach with PrecisionPoint results in nearly 30% better cancer detection rates and nearly a 0% infection rate (compared to a 5-7% infection rate with the transrectal approach).
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“More people are surviving cancer than ever before. Living with cancer is a reality, and we can still do most of the things we love to do while undergoing treatment.”
Dr. Matthew Allaway
Founder of Perineologic
Dr. Matthew Allaway of Perineologic On The 5 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Cancer
An Interview With Savio P. Clemente
More people are surviving cancer than ever before. Living with cancer is a reality, and we can still do most of the things we love to do while undergoing treatment.
Cancer is a horrible and terrifying disease. There is so much great information out there, but sometimes it is very difficult to filter out the noise. What causes cancer? Can it be prevented? How do you detect it? What are the odds of survival today? What are the different forms of cancer? What are the best treatments? And what is the best way to support someone impacted by cancer?
In this interview series called, “5 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Cancer” we are talking to experts about cancer such as oncologists, researchers, and medical directors to address these questions. As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Matthew Allaway.
Dr. Matthew Allaway was born and educated in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Cumberland, Maryland 20 years ago with his wife. His practice and research have focused on prostate cancer diagnostics. He is also the founder and president of Perineologic, an innovative medical device company focused on developing and delivering technology to improve the safety, precision, and efficiency of healthcare options primarily in the field of urology.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Science was always a subject of interest growing up. I became fascinated with the function and design of the world around me and was curious about what happens in the human body when affected by a serious disease or condition. I could appreciate how all of our organs work in harmony and how well our bodies can heal themselves in the best circumstances.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
A mentor of mine growing up, Dr. David Goldberg, influenced me at many levels and is likely the reason I went into medicine. We shared an enjoyment of learning about how systems in the body worked and how to fix them when damaged or impaired. As a radiologist, he was always intrigued by new technology and how to apply new scientific techniques to his work. I admired how much he enjoyed his career. If I could be as happy in this profession as he was, life would be great.
This is not easy work. What is your primary motivation and drive behind the work that you do?
Being able to help patients heal themselves from disease states is very satisfying. I really feel that I am able to make a difference. To be able to help tens of thousands of patients with an innovative medical device and surgical method has a very strong appeal. These life experiences continue to motivate me on a daily basis.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
Together with my team at Perineologic, we have been at the forefront of a generational shift on how prostate cancer is diagnosed, transitioning from the transrectal to the transperineal approach. The domestic and international urologic communities are now certain that the transperineal approach offers a better and safer prostate biopsy and that this approach will become the new standard of care. The concept of using an intuitive anatomic pathway, the perineum (the patch of skin between the rectum and genitals), will likely expand into treatments for a multitude of male and female urologic pathologies.
For the benefit of our readers, can you briefly let us know why you are an authority about the topic of Cancer?
I have spent that last seven years researching and developing a richer understanding of the prostate gland. More specifically, I have developed an appreciation of how and where prostate cancer develops in this multi-lobe and zoned organ. I have also been able to work side by side with some of the very best minds in urology. Sharing knowledge with others who are all trying to answer important questions about prostate cancer has given me a unique life perspective.
I used my experience as a urologist to invent the PrecisionPoint™ Transperineal Access System as a safer and more precise approach to performing prostate cancer biopsies. This is a disruptive technology in the urology sector because it simplifies prostate biopsies while also reducing the risks associated with the traditional approach. Historically, prostate biopsies are performed using the transrectal approach (inserting a needle through the rectum). But with PrecisionPoint we use the transperineal approach, which means clinicians insert a biopsy needle through the perineum (the skin between the rectum and scrotum) rather than through the rectum. The PrecisionPoint biopsy can be performed under local anesthesia in an office setting and involves only two needle sticks, whereas the traditional transrectal approach involves about 12 needle sticks. Most importantly, the transperineal approach with PrecisionPoint results in nearly 30% better cancer detection rates and a nearly 0% infection rate (compared to about a 5–7% infection rate with the transrectal approach). The transperineal approach with PrecisionPoint also reduces the risks of other complications including pain, bleeding and urinary retention. Patients are seeing the direct benefits of PrecisionPoint after years of hearing about the inconveniences, side effects and dangers associated with traditional prostate biopsy approaches. Developing the PrecisionPoint system has been extremely rewarding.
Ok, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Let’s start with some basic definitions so that we are all on the same page. What is exactly cancer?
Cancer is cellular growth gone haywire. All cells in our body have function and purpose, their ultimate expression is pre-determined and controlled by the human genome. When these cells lose their self-control mechanisms, they grow like a runaway freight train. This is how I see cancer.
What causes cancer?
Cancer is caused by damage, to one degree or another, that escapes our immune systems’ checks and balances.
What is the difference between the different forms of cancer?
Unregulated growth of cells is the common thread of cancer. However, how fast and where they will spread can vary from cancer to cancer. Some types of cancer grow slowly and may need minimal treatment while other types are aggressive and can spread quickly to other organs and areas of the body.
I know that the next few questions are huge topics, but we’d love to hear your thoughts regardless. How can cancer be prevented?
Every day, our immune system discovers cells that have become defective and risk cancerous spread. We need to maintain a very healthy immune system as it is our main defense system against disease. The healthier our immune system is, the better it can do its job. We also need to reduce the amount of destructive compounds that threaten to damage the genome resulting in rogue cellular behavior. Prevention starts with a respect for our bodies and thinking about what we put in them.
We need to understand what a healthy and balanced diet looks like. This will help all the cells of our immune system thrive and will minimize cellular damage to healthy organs. I am not only referring to diet, but the thoughts we have and how we react to the stress of life. Our psychological state will have certain negative or positive impacts on our risk of cancer.
We also need to understand genomic markers that we are born with that predispose us to cancer. Determining who is at risk earlier in life followed by creating more precise medical care and screening will result in better cancer prevention.
How can one detect the main forms of cancer?
Patients need to understand their bodies and listen. Most patients with good self-awareness will be able to tell their doctors something is wrong. It is important for patients to share any symptoms or changes in their bodies they have noticed with their doctors as they can be important clues that we can use to make a diagnosis.
Cancer can also be detected when a patient undergoes standard exams and tests during visits with their primary care physicians. For example, many men over age 50 will undergo a digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test during their yearly physicals. If either of these tests deliver abnormal results, their doctor may recommend further testing to find or diagnose prostate cancer.
A prostate biopsy is often the next step. There are two pathways to access the prostate for tissue samples — via the rectum (transrectal) or the perinium, the area between the anus and scrotum (transperineal). The PrecisionPoint system uses the transperineal approach, which is shown to be a better, safer and more precise method for prostate biopsy.
Cancer used to almost be a death sentence, but it seems that it has changed today. What are the odds of surviving cancer today?
This varies quite a bit as we compare types and grades of cancers to each other In general, patients with cancer are living longer with their cancers than ever before. Although cure rates have improved from many cancers, our ability to provide effective long-term treatments to patients who are unable to be cured has been an area of tremendous growth. As we improve our understanding of cancer, we will likely see more curative treatments in the future.
Can you share some of the new cutting-edge treatments for cancer that have recently emerged? What new cancer treatment innovations are you most excited to see come to fruition in the near future?
In general, treatments that target specific cellular pathways and minimize collateral damage are the most exciting cutting-edge innovations. Developing a better understanding of the human genome and the ability to screen for mutations will potentially lead to treatments that can be administered when the cancers are in their earliest stage and thus most vulnerable to effective treatments. I am also excited about the development of more accurate imaging modalities, which allow us to better asses the stage of different cancers in patients and help streamline cancer care.
Healing usually takes place between doctor visits. What have you found to be most beneficial to assist a patient to heal?
It is important for cancer patients to have a strong support system with access to nutrients and spiritual health to help with healing.
From your experience, what are a few of the best ways to support a loved one, friend, or colleague who is impacted by cancer?
In my experience, the best way to support someone you know who is impacted by cancer is not to ask how you can help, but to take action and do something special for them.
What are a few of the biggest misconceptions and myths out there about fighting cancer that you would like to dispel?
A general rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask your health care provider to research a treatment you have read about. Let them use their knowledge and experience to help you understand some of those treatments. The biggest myth is that we hold the cure for cancer but the pharmaceutical industry is keeping it from us so that they can make money on other treatments that do not cure. My priority as a health care provider is my patients and to ensure that they have access to available treatments as quickly as possible that may be able to improve their health and quality of life.
Thank you so much for all of that. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experiences and knowledge, what are your “5 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Cancer? Please share a story or example for each.
Cancer is not universally fatal. Prior to 1985, most men with testicular cancer died. Now more than 97% are cured! I would not be alive if it were not for the advancements in the treatment of testicular cancer.
Cancer treatments are not as toxic as they have been in the past. About 20 years ago, a patient with metastatic kidney cancer would certainly pass due to their disease. Now we have patients with metastatic kidney cancer living an additional 10 years with a very reasonable quality of life.
More people are surviving cancer than ever before. Living with cancer is a reality, and we can still do most of the things we love to do while undergoing treatment.
Screening is key. Screening is the best medicine, because the earlier we find cancer, the earlier we can treat and potentially cure it.
Life after cancer treatment is as important as prevention. In the past, we were so excited to “cure” a patient, we failed to know how best to care for patients who may have a long life ahead of them after cancer.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
We need to shift our way of thinking from: not what can we do, but what should we do.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
More information about our work at Perineologic and the PrecisionPoint system can be found on our website, www.Perineologic.com or on our Twitter feed, @perineologic.
Thank you so much for these insights! This was very inspirational and we wish you continued success in your great work.
(link to article on medium.com)
The 5 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Cancer
Dr. Matthew Allaway of Perineologic On The 5 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Cancer
An Interview With Savio P. Clemente
More people are surviving cancer than ever before. Living with cancer is a reality, and we can still do most of the things we love to do while undergoing treatment.
Cancer is a horrible and terrifying disease. There is so much great information out there, but sometimes it is very difficult to filter out the noise. What causes cancer? Can it be prevented? How do you detect it? What are the odds of survival today? What are the different forms of cancer? What are the best treatments? And what is the best way to support someone impacted by cancer?
In this interview series called, “5 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Cancer” we are talking to experts about cancer such as oncologists, researchers, and medical directors to address these questions. As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Matthew Allaway.
Dr. Matthew Allaway was born and educated in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Cumberland, Maryland 20 years ago with his wife. His practice and research have focused on prostate cancer diagnostics. He is also the founder and president of Perineologic, an innovative medical device company focused on developing and delivering technology to improve the safety, precision, and efficiency of healthcare options primarily in the field of urology.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Science was always a subject of interest growing up. I became fascinated with the function and design of the world around me and was curious about what happens in the human body when affected by a serious disease or condition. I could appreciate how all of our organs work in harmony and how well our bodies can heal themselves in the best circumstances.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
A mentor of mine growing up, Dr. David Goldberg, influenced me at many levels and is likely the reason I went into medicine. We shared an enjoyment of learning about how systems in the body worked and how to fix them when damaged or impaired. As a radiologist, he was always intrigued by new technology and how to apply new scientific techniques to his work. I admired how much he enjoyed his career. If I could be as happy in this profession as he was, life would be great.
This is not easy work. What is your primary motivation and drive behind the work that you do?
Being able to help patients heal themselves from disease states is very satisfying. I really feel that I am able to make a difference. To be able to help tens of thousands of patients with an innovative medical device and surgical method has a very strong appeal. These life experiences continue to motivate me on a daily basis.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
Together with my team at Perineologic, we have been at the forefront of a generational shift on how prostate cancer is diagnosed, transitioning from the transrectal to the transperineal approach. The domestic and international urologic communities are now certain that the transperineal approach offers a better and safer prostate biopsy and that this approach will become the new standard of care. The concept of using an intuitive anatomic pathway, the perineum (the patch of skin between the rectum and genitals), will likely expand into treatments for a multitude of male and female urologic pathologies.
For the benefit of our readers, can you briefly let us know why you are an authority about the topic of Cancer?
I have spent that last seven years researching and developing a richer understanding of the prostate gland. More specifically, I have developed an appreciation of how and where prostate cancer develops in this multi-lobe and zoned organ. I have also been able to work side by side with some of the very best minds in urology. Sharing knowledge with others who are all trying to answer important questions about prostate cancer has given me a unique life perspective.
I used my experience as a urologist to invent the PrecisionPoint™ Transperineal Access System as a safer and more precise approach to performing prostate cancer biopsies. This is a disruptive technology in the urology sector because it simplifies prostate biopsies while also reducing the risks associated with the traditional approach. Historically, prostate biopsies are performed using the transrectal approach (inserting a needle through the rectum). But with PrecisionPoint we use the transperineal approach, which means clinicians insert a biopsy needle through the perineum (the skin between the rectum and scrotum) rather than through the rectum. The PrecisionPoint biopsy can be performed under local anesthesia in an office setting and involves only two needle sticks, whereas the traditional transrectal approach involves about 12 needle sticks. Most importantly, the transperineal approach with PrecisionPoint results in nearly 30% better cancer detection rates and a nearly 0% infection rate (compared to about a 5–7% infection rate with the transrectal approach). The transperineal approach with PrecisionPoint also reduces the risks of other complications including pain, bleeding and urinary retention. Patients are seeing the direct benefits of PrecisionPoint after years of hearing about the inconveniences, side effects and dangers associated with traditional prostate biopsy approaches. Developing the PrecisionPoint system has been extremely rewarding.
Ok, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Let’s start with some basic definitions so that we are all on the same page. What is exactly cancer?
Cancer is cellular growth gone haywire. All cells in our body have function and purpose, their ultimate expression is pre-determined and controlled by the human genome. When these cells lose their self-control mechanisms, they grow like a runaway freight train. This is how I see cancer.
What causes cancer?
Cancer is caused by damage, to one degree or another, that escapes our immune systems’ checks and balances.
What is the difference between the different forms of cancer?
Unregulated growth of cells is the common thread of cancer. However, how fast and where they will spread can vary from cancer to cancer. Some types of cancer grow slowly and may need minimal treatment while other types are aggressive and can spread quickly to other organs and areas of the body.
I know that the next few questions are huge topics, but we’d love to hear your thoughts regardless. How can cancer be prevented?
Every day, our immune system discovers cells that have become defective and risk cancerous spread. We need to maintain a very healthy immune system as it is our main defense system against disease. The healthier our immune system is, the better it can do its job. We also need to reduce the amount of destructive compounds that threaten to damage the genome resulting in rogue cellular behavior. Prevention starts with a respect for our bodies and thinking about what we put in them.
We need to understand what a healthy and balanced diet looks like. This will help all the cells of our immune system thrive and will minimize cellular damage to healthy organs. I am not only referring to diet, but the thoughts we have and how we react to the stress of life. Our psychological state will have certain negative or positive impacts on our risk of cancer.
We also need to understand genomic markers that we are born with that predispose us to cancer. Determining who is at risk earlier in life followed by creating more precise medical care and screening will result in better cancer prevention.
How can one detect the main forms of cancer?
Patients need to understand their bodies and listen. Most patients with good self-awareness will be able to tell their doctors something is wrong. It is important for patients to share any symptoms or changes in their bodies they have noticed with their doctors as they can be important clues that we can use to make a diagnosis.
Cancer can also be detected when a patient undergoes standard exams and tests during visits with their primary care physicians. For example, many men over age 50 will undergo a digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test during their yearly physicals. If either of these tests deliver abnormal results, their doctor may recommend further testing to find or diagnose prostate cancer.
A prostate biopsy is often the next step. There are two pathways to access the prostate for tissue samples — via the rectum (transrectal) or the perinium, the area between the anus and scrotum (transperineal). The PrecisionPoint system uses the transperineal approach, which is shown to be a better, safer and more precise method for prostate biopsy.
Cancer used to almost be a death sentence, but it seems that it has changed today. What are the odds of surviving cancer today?
This varies quite a bit as we compare types and grades of cancers to each other In general, patients with cancer are living longer with their cancers than ever before. Although cure rates have improved from many cancers, our ability to provide effective long-term treatments to patients who are unable to be cured has been an area of tremendous growth. As we improve our understanding of cancer, we will likely see more curative treatments in the future.
Can you share some of the new cutting-edge treatments for cancer that have recently emerged? What new cancer treatment innovations are you most excited to see come to fruition in the near future?
In general, treatments that target specific cellular pathways and minimize collateral damage are the most exciting cutting-edge innovations. Developing a better understanding of the human genome and the ability to screen for mutations will potentially lead to treatments that can be administered when the cancers are in their earliest stage and thus most vulnerable to effective treatments. I am also excited about the development of more accurate imaging modalities, which allow us to better asses the stage of different cancers in patients and help streamline cancer care.
Healing usually takes place between doctor visits. What have you found to be most beneficial to assist a patient to heal?
It is important for cancer patients to have a strong support system with access to nutrients and spiritual health to help with healing.
From your experience, what are a few of the best ways to support a loved one, friend, or colleague who is impacted by cancer?
In my experience, the best way to support someone you know who is impacted by cancer is not to ask how you can help, but to take action and do something special for them.
What are a few of the biggest misconceptions and myths out there about fighting cancer that you would like to dispel?
A general rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask your health care provider to research a treatment you have read about. Let them use their knowledge and experience to help you understand some of those treatments. The biggest myth is that we hold the cure for cancer but the pharmaceutical industry is keeping it from us so that they can make money on other treatments that do not cure. My priority as a health care provider is my patients and to ensure that they have access to available treatments as quickly as possible that may be able to improve their health and quality of life.
Thank you so much for all of that. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experiences and knowledge, what are your “5 Things Everyone Needs To Know About Cancer? Please share a story or example for each.
Cancer is not universally fatal. Prior to 1985, most men with testicular cancer died. Now more than 97% are cured! I would not be alive if it were not for the advancements in the treatment of testicular cancer.
Cancer treatments are not as toxic as they have been in the past. About 20 years ago, a patient with metastatic kidney cancer would certainly pass due to their disease. Now we have patients with metastatic kidney cancer living an additional 10 years with a very reasonable quality of life.
More people are surviving cancer than ever before. Living with cancer is a reality, and we can still do most of the things we love to do while undergoing treatment.
Screening is key. Screening is the best medicine, because the earlier we find cancer, the earlier we can treat and potentially cure it.
Life after cancer treatment is as important as prevention. In the past, we were so excited to “cure” a patient, we failed to know how best to care for patients who may have a long life ahead of them after cancer.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
We need to shift our way of thinking from: not what can we do, but what should we do.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
More information about our work at Perineologic and the PrecisionPoint system can be found on our website, www.Perineologic.com or on our Twitter feed, @perineologic.
Thank you so much for these insights! This was very inspirational and we wish you continued success in your great work.