2013

Help kick Prostate Cancer in the stones

Help kick Prostate Cancer in the stones
As a 36-year old man, I think of myself as 10-feet tall and bullet proof; I'm in my prime and nothing can stop me.  When I hear the word cancer , I immediately think to myself " Cancer! That will never affect me! " Am I naïve? The statistics prove I am.  As a man whose own father is a prostate cancer survivor, this disease scares the crap out of me.

Prostate Cancer is THE most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men.  This year alone it will affect nearly 23,600 men in Canada of which 3,900 will die from the disease*. 


As a new contributor to the Prostate Cancer Canada blog, I've begun taking a more proactive approach to learn about this deadly disease and I urge other men, young and old alike, to do the same.  Here's some information to educate you on the most popular questions surrounding Prostate Cancer.


What is Prostate Cancer?


The following information can be found on the Prostate Cancer Canada website at ProstateCancer.ca

[toggle title=" What is Prostate Cancer?"]

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men. One in seven men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.

Prostate cancer is a disease where some prostate cells have lost normal control of growth and division. They no longer function as healthy cells.

Prostate cancer can be slow-growing and some men who develop prostate cancer may live many years without ever having the cancer detected. It is important to get screened regularly so that if you do develop prostate cancer, the appropriate action can be taken. A significant proportion of prostate cancers, if untreated, may have serious consequences.

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[toggle title=" What are the signs and symptoms of Prostate Cancer?"]

Prostate cancer is a disease where some prostate cells have lost normal control of growth and division. They no longer function as healthy cells.

A cancerous prostate cell has the following features:

  • Uncontrolled growth

  • Abnormal structure

  • The ability to move to other parts of the body (invasiveness).


It is important to note that not all clusters of cells growing in a mass are cancerous, and that a prostate with an irregular shape is not necessarily cancerous either. It is advisable to ask your doctor what it may be.

Prostate cancer can be slow-growing and some men who develop prostate cancer may live many years without ever having the cancer detected. It is important to get screened regularly so that if you do develop prostate cancer, the appropriate action can be taken. A significant proportion of prostate cancers, if untreated, may have serious consequences.

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[toggle title=" What are Prostate Cancer Risk Factors?"]

There is no single cause of prostate cancer. However, some factors make developing prostate cancer more likely.

Age: The chance of getting prostate cancer rises quickly after a man reaches age 50. Age is the most important risk factor for prostate cancer.

Race: Prostate cancer is more common in men of African or Caribbean descent and less common in men of Asian descent.

Family history: Genetics plays a role - the risk of prostate cancer increases if close family members have had the disease.

Diet: Men who eat a low-fibre, high-fat diet have a higher rate of prostate cancer. Research suggests that saturated fat (commonly found in processed foods, whole-milk dairy products and fatty cuts of meat) increases the production of the hormone testosterone, which may help prostate cancer cells grow.

Lifestyle: Having a high Body Mass Index (BMI) may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Being physically active is a good preventative tactic, along with losing weight and eating the right foods. Consuming lycopene (found in tomatoes and tomato products), soy, green tea and cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli), among other foods and nutrients, may help to prevent prostate cancer.

It is possible to develop prostate cancer even when none of these risk factors is present.

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[toggle title=" What are Prostate Cancer Tests and Diagnosis?"]

Regular testing increases the likelihood of cancer being detected at an early stage when there are more treatment options and the chance of cure is highest.

The PSA Test

This is a simple blood test that your doctor can order. It measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate that helps keep semen in liquid form. Typically, cancerous prostate glands release more PSA into the blood circulation than healthy prostate glands. Therefore, a high PSA level can be a warning sign of prostate cancer.

The Digital Rectal Exam

In a digital rectal exam (DRE), your doctor will feel the size and shape of the prostate by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum. The area where most prostate cancers are found can be felt during this test. A healthy prostate feels soft, rubbery, smooth, symmetrical, regular and even.  Any lumps, or hard, woody or irregular areas of the prostate may indicate the presence of cancer and will require further testing.

It is important to remember that no test is perfect. Combining the PSA blood test with a DRE provides your doctor with more information and helps to increase the accuracy of these early detection methods.

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[toggle title=" Prostate Cancer: A glossary"]

  • Androgen: A hormone, such as testosterone, that promotes male characteristics such as sexual function and muscle mass.

  • Anesthetic: A drug used to numb an area of skin (“local”) or put someone to sleep (“general”).

  • Catheter: A narrow, flexible tube that is inserted into the body to drain urine or other fluids.

  • Erectile Dysfunction: The inability to have a satisfactory sexual relationship. It often specifically refers to an inability to achieve or keep an erection.

  • Hormone: A chemical produced in the body that regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.

  • Incontinence: The inability to control urine flow, resulting in urine leakage. It may be partial or total.

  • Infertility: The inability to father offspring. This may be a result of several factors, including treatment for prostate cancer.

  • Kegel Exercises: Pelvic muscle exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles which help with regaining urine control.

  • Perineum: The area between the anus and scrotum.


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[toggle title=" Ways to donate to Prostate Cancer Canada?"]

ONE TIME GIFT: You can help Canadian men and their families dealing with prostate cancer by making a single gift of any amount. You’ll receive a receipt within 10 business days and the money will be directed to research, education and support programs across Canada.

MONTHLY: A monthly gift is a powerful way of showing your support. By making a small gift once per month, you’ll be providing consistent support for important programs. You will receive a receipt once a year in February and you can stay up to date on the progress your support is making with our monthly digital newsletters and annual paper newsletters. You can suspend, change or cancel your monthly gifts at any time.

TRIBUTE GIVING: Making a gift in someone’s name is one of the most meaningful things anyone can do. The recipient of your choice will receive a letter suitable for the occasion. You will be receipted for your gift within 10 business days and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference in the lives of Canadian men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

FUNDRAISING: Are you hosting an event and would like to make it extra special by helping others? Consider fundraising for men and their families currently affected by prostate cancer. We can provide you with the tools, support and tips to help you make your event a success.

LEGACY GIVING:   This is the way to have the most impact in the fight against prostate cancer. Legacy gifts left to research, support and education programs in the form of bequests, capitol asset transfers, annuities or life insurance policies can make a significant and positive impact on those living with prostate cancer. Find out how you can help and also benefit from tax savings at the same time through several legacy giving options.

For information, please call 1-888-255-0333.

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE & INFORMATION:

To give by mail: Download a donation form, print it, and mail it along with your gift to:

Prostate Cancer Canada
2 Lombard St, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 1M1

  • Monthly Giving Form

  • Single Gift Form


For information or to make a donation by phone, please call Prostate Cancer Canada:
(416) 441-2131 OR 1-888-255-0333

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A few statistics about Prostate Cancer in Canada


2013-PC-Stats-(Medium)

What are the Movember Team Grants and how does it help to kick Prostate Cancer in the stones?




Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2013 inaugural Movember Team Grants. The program promotes collaboration between not only researchers but also institutions, providing a united approach to prostate cancer research. The recipient group will receive $5 million in funding.

Movember Team Grant Recipient


The 2013 Movember Team Grant has been awarded to Dr. Ralph Buttyan of the Vancouver Prostate Centre (Principal Investigator), who leads a team of 22 Co-Investigators. The title of their research is Tumour Cell Plasticity in Treatment-Resistant Prostate Cancer and their study will focus on targeting aggressive and lethal cancer.

Thank You to Movember:  Prostate Cancer Canada recognizes the Movember Foundation as the sole funder of this program in 2013. For information about prostate cancer research, check out prostatecancer.ca

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Great links and information about Movember and Prostate Cancer Canada


About Prostate Cancer Canada


Prostate Cancer Canada raises funds for the development of programs related to awareness and public education, advocacy, support of those affected, and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer. For more information visit prostatecancer.ca and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

About Movember


Movember aims to forever change the face of men's health through the power of the moustache by raising awareness and funds for men's health issues, specifically prostate cancer and men’s mental health. Funds raised are directed to programs run by the Movember Foundation and its local men's health partners in countries around the world. Since its inception in 2003, over 2 million participants have raised over $439 million for its causes globally. Currently Movember is officially taking place in 21 countries. For more information please visit movember.com or follow on Twitter at  @MovemberCA

 
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