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Prostate Cancer Awareness Day at BC Legislative Assembly
VICTORIA, May 4, 2012- On Monday, May 7, Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) will host their first Legislative Assembly Day to promote education and awareness of prostate cancer in British Columbia.

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Prostate Cancer Canada Opens Halifax Office to Serve Atlantic Region

3/22/2011

Prostate Cancer Canada, together with representatives of government, business and the health community, today officially opened its first regional office in Halifax and announced a series of initiatives to strengthen the fight against prostate cancer throughout Atlantic Canada.

(HALIFAX, N.S., March 22, 2011) Prostate Cancer Canada, together with representatives of government, business and the health community, today officially opened its first regional office in Halifax and announced a series of initiatives to strengthen the fight against prostate cancer throughout Atlantic Canada.

Steve Jones, President and CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada said, “The decision to focus on the Atlantic provinces reflects the unique demographics of the region and the enthusiastic approval of support groups to join forces to combat, and ultimately cure, a disease that impacts one in six Canadian men in their lifetime.” He noted that the Atlantic Provinces have the largest ‘baby-boomer’ population in Canada and higher incidence and mortality rates from the disease.

The Halifax office brings together 15 regional prostate cancer support groups under the Prostate Cancer Canada national network. The office located at 5121 Sackville Street will be the first permanent home for the PCCN - Halifax support group. It will serve as a focal point for survivors, volunteers and members of the community to meet, share information and support outreach programs designed to raise awareness, promote testing and drive research.

Peter Mallette, Director, Atlantic Region for Prostate Cancer Canada said the Halifax office will manage five major events in the region this year designed to promote PSA testing and “advance the best thinking and best practices” for the treatment of the disease.

He confirmed that Prostate Cancer Canada has donated $60,000 for MRI Probe technology to the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation. As well, the Halifax office will host Prostate Cancer Canada’s National Leaders Conference from October 12^th to 15^th. Over the past three years PCC has funded nearly $10 million in research across Canada.

Momentum

“Today’s announcement is a milestone in our goal to bring together prostate cancer support groups of all sizes to create a truly national organization that has the resources and strength in numbers to be an effective voice to advocate and make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease,” according to Helene Vassos, Executive Vice President of Prostate Cancer Canada. “The decision of independent groups to affiliate with Prostate Cancer Canada is gaining momentum. We now have 58 support groups under our umbrella across the country,” she added.

Halifax Tie Event

On Wednesday March 23^rd from 8 am until 2 pm, PCC Atlantic Region will be hosting a Tie Tying Contest at the Scotia Square Mall. Signature PCC striped ties will be provided and prizes will be awarded to the person who can tie their tie the fastest – handy tie tying guides will also be available. In addition, men and their families are encouraged to drop by and meet NHL alumnus Walt McKechnie – a prostate cancer survivor, who in his 955 career NHL games, scored 214 goals and 392 assists for 606 points.

National Survey:

Jones also released the results of a national online survey of 1500 men and women sponsored by Prostate Cancer Canada and conducted by Pollara in early March. “Our survey reconfirmed the need for ongoing public awareness to help men and their loved ones better understand the risk of the disease and encourage men to get tested sooner rather than later,” he said.

The survey showed that although the majority of Canadians are somewhat aware of the prevalence of prostate cancer, their specific knowledge of the main screening test - the PSA - was low. The majority of respondents, 58 per cent, said they knew little if anything about the test. Approximately 34 per cent reported that they had not heard of it.

Jones said the survey indicated that Canadians believe correctly that prostate cancer can be treated effectively if detected early. Even so, many men are delaying getting tested. A full 75 per cent of respondents believe that men could wait until 40 or over. Thirty-one (31) per cent believe men could wait until 50 years of age to get tested, a serious misunderstanding that could contribute to the mortality.

“While we are proud of our progress, these results underscore that much needs to be done to turn awareness into action against a disease that will take the lives of 4,400 men this year,” Mr. Jones said.

Milestones

The opening of the Atlantic region office is the latest in a series of achievements for Prostate Cancer Canada over the past year.

To coincide with the opening of Prostate Cancer Canada’s new regional office for Atlantic Canada, Halifax mayor Peter Kelly will raise the Prostate Cancer Canada flag outside of City Hall Tuesday, March 22^nd at 10 am. Later in the day, at the regular meeting of Halifax regional council, each councilor will be presented with a PCC tie / scarf.

Prostate Cancer Canada is the proud beneficiary of Movember, the global campaign held each November that engages men to grow a moustache while raising awareness and funds to change the face of men’s health. Last year, more than 118,921 Canadian Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, from both urban and rural markets, raised over $22 million. Prostate Cancer Canada will utilize funds raised to promote early detection, explore and make available improved treatment options, and ultimately, find a cure for prostate cancer.

“Movember funds will help Prostate Cancer Canada forge ahead in the area of collaborative research which will greatly improve and fast track new diagnostic methods and treatment options,” said Steve Jones, PCC CEO and President. “Additionally, thanks to Movember, we will be able to grow and better assist our Support Group Network so that those living with prostate cancer have access to the resources they need to ensure they maintain the best quality of life”.

In February of this year, Prostate Cancer Canada confirmed, thanks in large part to the funds raised by Movember, that it would provide up to $15 million in funding to lead a study by the International Cancer Genome Consortium to map the genetic structure of prostate cancer and provide new insights on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

The collaborative project, called The Canadian Prostate Cancer Genome Network (CPC GENE) will bring together Canadian researchers in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Kingston and Montreal with global teams in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

About Prostate Cancer Canada

Prostate Cancer Canada is the only national foundation dedicated to the elimination of this disease through research, education and awareness. Prostate Cancer Canada raises funds for the development of programs related to awareness, public education, advocacy, support of the afflicted and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer. For more information and to learn about testing and treatment, visit prostatecancer.ca

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Contact:

Steve Jones

President and Chief Executive Officer

Prostate Cancer Canada

(416) 441 2131 X 225

Rebecca von Goetz

Executive Vice-President, Marketing & Communications

Prostate Cancer Canada

(416) 441 2131 X 258

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Prostate Cancer Canada
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Ontario M5C 1M1, Canada
info@prostatecancer.ca

Telephone: 416-441-2131
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