Dr. Lisa Belisle

Prostate Health and Happiness

By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published September 7, 2006, Community Leader

Ah, the prostate. If I had a dime for every time a patient told me how much he detested the prostate (i.e. rectal) exam, I’d be rich doctor indeed. Nobody likes a prostate exam. Yet having regular exams, and caring for the prostate in general, is an essential part of male wellness. Located at the base of the penis, this gland produces the fluid that carries sperm out of the body. Given its small size (it is usually compared to a walnut); it can cause a surprising number of problems. These range from merely annoying to possibly life-threatening.

Protecting Kids from Strangers (and Others)

By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published September 2006, Parent & Family 

At a lacrosse game last spring, my 5-year-old was playing with a group of children a few yards away from me. Watching her carefully, I was surprised when a man in a parked minivan called out to see if she would like some candy. Sophie immediately went up to the van to speak with the stranger, then came to ask me if she could partake of the sweets. I was horrified. My child had just fallen victim to one of the oldest child lures in the book. I didn’t want to imagine what could have happened if I hadn’t been there.