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“Issue #302” February 2025

All of our monthly General meetings are in person or via Zoom

Location for in person is:

CKE Community Centre (1015 73 Ave SW, Calgary, AB).                    Everyone is welcome

 If you are interested in attending via Zoom please sign up HERE

 
February 19th Guest Speaker
Wellspring Cancer Support
Scott Patterson

Centre Manager Carma House Wellspring Alberta

Originally from Woodstock On,

He Lived and worked for a few years in both Orlando, Florida and Edinburgh, Scotland, with a strong educational background in business and tourism.

After returning home to Canada he moved out west. Scott then obtained his nursing degree in Vancouver BC. He worked at Lionsgate Hospital in North Vancouver. He was part of an acute care nursing team working in orthopedics, neurology, general medicine/surgical and emergency. He specialized in palliative and hospice care. In 2015 His family moved to Calgary Ab, and he was fortunate enough to lead a team that over a yearlong accreditation was successful to bring in the Butterfly Model of Care that specializes in the care of those that live with dementia.  Scott then found Wellspring Alberta, an organization that understands alongside medicine there is truly a lot more that it takes to heal. Here emotional, social, and practical programs and supports are provided to all members, their families and caregivers.

Scott is passionate and comfortable being an organizational ambassador leading change. Always ensuring that empathy and dignity are prioritized.

Upcoming Events

Warriors & Wives Partners and Caregivers

Please come and join us on Wednesday, February 19th. We are meeting at CKE starting at 6:00 pm with a social gathering in the lounge and separate meetings from 6:30 to 7:30 prior to the general meeting in the main hall.

Warriors Lunch

Our next lunch meeting for the warriors is in March 2025. More details to follow on date and location coming soon.

 

Exciting Opportunity Alert!  Prostaid Calgary is on the lookout for passionate individuals eager to make a real difference. Join us as a Board Member and play a vital role in our impactful mission. Your skills and dedication can help shape a brighter future.  "If you believe this is the perfect opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you!                                                                                                                    Reach out to any of our Board members or connect with me directly at program.director@prostaid.org. 

 

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Articles Of Interest
DRIVING CHANGE FOR MEN’S HEALTH
The MAN VAN® is Canada’s first and only mobile men’s health clinic offering FREE PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood testing used for early detection of prostate cancer.
Now serving Edmonton & north for men 40 to 70 and for men between 40 and 49 please go to Get Checked for specific details.
-No appointment necessary
-Find the next community clinic near you
-15 minutes can save your life!
MAN VAN UPCOMING CLINICS
Prostate Cancer Patient Focus Group – Virtual Meeting

We are reaching out to invite you to participate in a virtual focus group aimed at discussing current treatments for prostate cancer. We are interested in the perspectives of Canadian men with late-stage prostate cancer – specifically, metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). You should also be in active treatment.
 
During the session, we will discuss various aspects of prostate cancer treatments, including your experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. Your insights and experiences will be instrumental in helping us understand the needs and preferences of individuals receiving treatment for prostate cancer.

Date March 3 2025

Time 1-3 pm ET

Register Here

Testosterone Therapy May Not Up Prostate Cancer Recurrence Risk

The study findings support the prostate saturation theory, according to the investigators. Patients with baseline total testosterone levels less than 250 ng/dL are more likely to have a PSA rise after testosterone therapy compared with those with higher baseline levels. Three-quarters of patients had a baseline total testosterone level above this level.

 
More Info
                   
January 2025                                                                     Renal+Urology News
Testosterone

Dual-masked PSMA-targeting T-cell engager shows promise in mCRPC

Data from an ongoing phase 1 trial (NCT05997615) showed encouraging preliminary safety and efficacy of the dual-masked prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting T-cell engager VIR-5500 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), Vir Biotechnology reported in a news release.
 
Trial Results
                                                                                                      January 2025                                                                    Urology Times
Dual- Masked

New data demonstrates clinical validation of novel prostate cancer test

Current treatment approaches do not accurately identify whether a patient has aggressive or low-risk cancer; thus, over-treatment is a major issue as many patients undergo unwarranted radical treatments leading to severe complications including infection, incontinence, erectile dysfunction and depression..

 
Trial Info

January 2025                                                                        MedicalXpress

Clinical

Genomic classifier tests play heterogeneous role in prostate cancer risk classification

For patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa), tissue-based genomic classifiers (GCs) do not consistently influence risk classification or treatment decisions, according to a review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

 
Trial Results                                                                                                                                                                                                January 2025                                                                         MedicalXpress                                                                                      
Genomic

SPECT/CT in Early Response Assessment of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Receiving 177Lu-PSMA-617.

177Lu-PSMA-617 (LuPSMA) is a newly established treatment for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but survival outcomes vary widely, and predictors of treatment responses are needed. 
 
More information
                                       
December 2024                                                                      URO Today
Lu-PSMA

Panel Issues New Guidelines for Advanced Prostate Cancer

Managing advanced prostate cancer is increasingly complex, with some aspects lacking sufficient level 1 evidence. To address some of the more pressing issues, the 2024 US Prostate Cancer Conference (USPCC 2024) was created to generate US-focused expert clinical decision-making guidance for circumstances in which such high-quality evidence is absent. A multidisciplinary panel of specialists examined the ongoing clinical challenges related to 5 topic areas.
 
More Info
                                                                                                January 2025
Renal+Urology
Guidelines

Better outcomes start from clarity.

When it comes to a cancer diagnosis, Clarity means peace of mind. And when it comes to prostate cancer detection, it takes the right data to deliver that Clarity.

ClarityDX Prostate is a clinically proven decision support tool that uses a machine learning platform to calculate an accurate prostate cancer risk score from clinical data and multiple blood-based PSA test results (5-7).

If you have an elevated PSA, or a suspicion of prostate cancer, ClarityDX Prostate may be right for you. ClarityDX Prostate takes the fear and uncertainty out of prostate cancer screening.

 

ClarityDX

Read about these articles below
1-GPs need guidance and skills training                                                                               2-Polygenic Risk Score May Be Useful
3-Management Enhanced Patient Experience After Radical Prostatectomy
4-Prevention and screening have been major contributors to saving lives
5- From Diagnosis to Survivorship Post-radiotherapy
6- Additional prostate cancer treatment adversely affects quality of life
7-Addition of PSMA PET                                                                                                             8-Top 10 prostate cancer articles and videos of 2024                                                     9-Canadian Prostate Cancer Guide                                                                                            10- Novartis: A New Treatment For Prostate Cancer                                                          11- Caring for Caregivers

P.O. Box 72126
R.P.O. Glenmore Landing
Calgary, Alberta T2V 5H9
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For Caregivers & Families

New paper says GPs need guidance and skills training to facilitate decision-making

General practitioners and family doctors play an important role in counselling healthy men whether they should consider PSA testing – but they need clear guidance, training and support to assume this role.
 
More Info
                                                                                                January 2025
Europa Uomo
Guidance

Polygenic Risk Score May Be Useful in Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance

PRS could inform surveillance strategies for patients with low-risk prostate cancer, potentially reducing active surveillance burdens for patients with a lower risk of upgrading.

More Info

                                                                                                  January 2025                                              Renal+Urology                                                                     
PRS 

Mobile Internet-Based Postop Management Enhanced Patient Experience After Radical Prostatectomy

“Our study demonstrated that utilizing mobile internet management for the ongoing care of patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy yields significant benefits,” the researchers noted. “It notably enhanced patients’ understanding of their condition, reduces negative emotional states, and bolsters both self-care competencies and overall quality of life.” 
 
More Info

January 2025                                                                        Renal+Urology 

Mobile Postop
Articles For Everyone

In five cancer types, prevention and screening have been major contributors to saving lives

Although many people may believe that treatment advances are the major driver of reductions in mortality from these five cancers combined, the surprise here is how much prevention and screening contribute to reductions in mortality, said co-lead investigator Eight out of 10 deaths from these five cancers that were averted over the past 45 years were due to advances in prevention and screening.
 
                                                                                            December 2024                                                            National Cancer Institute
 
                                                           
Prevention

Comprehensive Management of Prostate Cancer: From Diagnosis to Survivorship Post-radiotherapy

Prostate cancer is a major global health issue, being the most prevalent cancer in men. Recent developments in radiation therapy have enhanced treatment outcomes, enabling many men to achieve long-term survival. Nevertheless, the journey from diagnosis to becoming a survivor is intricate and multidimensional, requiring a thorough grasp of the illness, its therapy, and its repercussions.

More Info                                                                                                                                                                                 December 2024                                                                     XHP Publishing

                                                                                                     

Radiotherapy

New results show additional prostate cancer treatment adversely affects quality of life

Results from a follow-up of Europa Uomo’s Euproms studies shows that the impact of continuing treatment for prostate cancer on sexual function is “immediate and detrimental” and continues for a long time. In contrast, men who undergo radiotherapy or prostate removal earlier and do not undergo further treatments show improvements.  

Study Results                                                                                                                                                                        January 2025                                                                        Europa

Quality of Life

Addition of PSMA PET led to notable stage migration in mHSPC, study shows

Findings from a recent study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine suggest that the addition of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET imaging to conventional imaging-based assessments may lead to significant stage migration in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).

Trial Results

                                                           

January 2025                                                                          Urology Times
PSMA-PET

Top 10 prostate cancer articles and videos of 2024

There has been a lot of news about prostate cancer over the past year. To celebrate these breakthroughs, the editorial staff at Urology Times® are showcasing our top content on prostate cancer from 2024.

December 2024                                                                        

Top 10
Bringing you the most up to date information in treatments, support, well-being, and more all in one place
 
We can help you in achieving the support you’re looking for. On the Canadian Prostate Cancer Guide website you can look to find the most up to date information on prostate cancer in one place.
 
Learn More Here
A New Treatment For Prostate Cancer
 

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada has successfully negotiated with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for the public reimbursement of PLUVICTO™ (lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan injection), a new treatment for prostate cancer. This milestone, announced on December 13, 2024, paves the way for broader access, though patients will still need to wait for inclusion in provincial and territorial formularies.

PLUVICTO™ targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients who have already undergone other treatments. The therapy combines a targeting compound with a radioactive particle to deliver precision cancer treatment, potentially offering hope to those with limited options.

Healthcare professionals and patient advocacy groups view the agreement as a major step forward for patients, particularly those with advanced prostate cancer who have exhausted other treatments. Novartis is committed to working with local drug programs to ensure rapid access to this important therapy.

 
 
Full Article Here
Caring For Caregivers
 

We offer a series of workshops for couples and caregivers adjusting to prostate cancer, its treatment and impact on self/relationships. If you're interested please reach out to Taylor to register at this email please. 

Taylor.T@prostatecancercentre.ca

 
Disclaimer: The PROSTAID Calgary Society website & newsletter provides news and information about prostate issues and activities of the organization. While information is presented about prostate cancer and related issues, it is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. PROSTAID Calgary Society recommends that you seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professionals regarding questions you may have about any medical condition. Topics on PROSTAID Calgary Society’s website & newsletter are presented to inform you and we encourage you to seek professional medical advice before starting any treatment.
P.O. Box 72126
R.P.O. Glenmore Landing
Calgary, Alberta T2V 5H9
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