Dr. R. Jeffrey Karnes a Success Story at Mayo Clinic

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Du Quoin native, Dr. R. Jeffrey Karnes, son of Robert and Pat Karnes of Du Quoin, is one of the most respected urologists in the nation, not only because of his surgical skills in the treatment of advanced urologic prostate and bladder cancers, but because of his attention to ongoing research.

Karnes' work is housed at the respected Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where Karnes and wife Meagan reside.

His work includes the study of cancer markers, treatment and surgery including reconstruction, kidney, bladder and prostate cancers. A graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Dr. Karnes' internship was at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. His residency in urology oncology was also at Mayo. He is also an assistant professor of urology.

Recently, the Wall Street Journal wrote about Dr. Karnes' observations with respect to a new study on how cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lipitor and Crestor called statins that are a major weapon against cardiovascular disease may also protect men against prostate cancer and other urological problems. In a study involving 2,447 men who were followed for 14 years, those taking statins were two to three times less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to those who were not taking the medicines.

The findings were presented in April at the American Urological Association meeting in Chicago. Karnes was one of the researchers involved in the observations.

"Prostate cancer is thought to be initiated by an inflammatory response to the prostate," Dr. Karnes said. Karnes said statins may work to fend against the precursors to prostate cancer. Karnes said a manuscript on the research is being prepared for publication. In the meantime, Karnes said all research points to a healthy lifestyle as the best defense against prostate cancers.