Prostate Cancer Canada Network

In The News

Well-Done Meat Consumption May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk
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.

Toronto researchers speculate regarding a link between prostate cancer and oral contraceptive use
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.

Click For Information Archive

Experimental & Alternative Therapies

Hundreds of experimental and alternative therapies for prostate cancer are being studied around the world. A few of these potential treatments are summarized here:

Gene Therapy
Genes that have been specifically created to treat disease are inserted into cells. The Toronto General Hospital is testing one type of gene therapy to improve a man’s odds after prostatectomy. Sometimes prostate cancer returns even after the prostate has been removed because small numbers of cancer cells have already spread to other parts of the body before surgery. Researchers are testing a gene therapy which is used a month before surgery and encourages the body to kill cancer cells that have spread beyond the prostate. This research is still in early stages but the results so far are hopeful.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
HIFU is an acoustic ablation technique that uses intersecting, precision focused ultrasound waves to raise the temperature of the target tissue to more than 80 to 90 degrees Celsius in two to three seconds, destroying the targeted cancerous tissues.

HIFU Facts:

a non-invasive therapy device that is available in Canada, Mexico, Europe, parts of Asia and the Dominican Republic
used to treat localized prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement
has been used in Japan and Europe for over 10 and five years, respectively
treatments are not covered by provincial health insurance in Canada, as of September 2006

There are two standards of HIFU delivery approved for use in Canada: Sonablate and Albatherm.

Clinical Trials
For more information on clinical trials in prostate cancer, please visit www.emergingmed.com or http://canadatrials.com which provide comprehensive listings of prostate cancer clinical trials underway in Canada.

For information linking Canadians to cancer services, information and resources visit: www.cancerview.ca

To find a local support group, move your pointer over the “Support Group” button and then over “Find a Group Near You,” and click on the appropriate Canadian region.

Treatment Options: