Research into the dietary habits of about a thousand men from the Cleveland area has found that a high consumption of meats, especially of red meat prepared by grilling, is positively associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.  This particular study, which was led by Dr. John Witte of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), has a number of limitations, but it does add support to other investigations connecting meat consumption with cancer risk.

Very preliminary and speculative research, designed to spark further inquires, suggests that there may be a connection between oral contraceptive use and rising rates of prostate cancer.  One theory is that the widespread use of birth-control pills in various populations may result in a higher level of estrogen in the environment, which might, in turn, increase prostate cancer risk.

As Movember enters its third week, the results of a new study funded by that initiative and by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia are about to be published in Cancer Research. Researchers at the Centenary Institute in Sydney have discovered how to slow the progress of early and late-stage prostate cancer by starving the tumour cells of nutrients.

Two Ontario men, both instrumental in prostate cancer support group leadership, have been awarded the PCCN Founders’ Award for 2011. Aaron Bacher stepped down in October 2010 from his position as chairman of PCCN-Toronto, an organization he led for over eight years. And Bill Vantour, who has been working to maintain and develop support groups in the Thunder Bay region since 2000, is the past president of PCCN-Thunder Bay, a position he has held twice, most recently from 2009 to 2011.

Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) are testing the possibility that men undergoing robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery will benefit from having a biodegradable “sling” inserted.  This sling, because it is biodegradable, can be left in the patient at the time of surgery to support the bladder neck and urethra after the prostate is removed, and doctors think it will aid in the recovery of continence.