Prostate Cancer Canada

Prostate Cancer

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In The News

PSA Fitness (Power, Strength & Agility)
HALIFAX, N.S., January 16, 2012/CNW/ Prostate Cancer Canada Atlantic is proud to announce the launch of PSA Fitness (Power, Strength & Agility), a free nine week exercise program for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. PSA Fitness, resistance training and yoga, is an important patient-centered therapy for prostate cancer survivors in Halifax.

TELUS donation to support Prostate Cancer Canada
Toronto, ON- January 13, 2012- On January 10th, Prostate Cancer Canada received a generous donation of $100,000 from TELUS at the launch of the TIEd Together exhibition. TELUS’ donation was made possible through the Canadian Football League Grey Cup cause marketing campaign. The donation will support Prostate Cancer Canada’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease through research, education, support and awareness.

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PCA3 Test

PCA3 is a molecular test for a prostate cancer associated gene that is found in the urine of men after a prostate examination.

The PCA3 test is currently available in Canada, but is not covered by provincial health plans. Clinical trials are being conducted in Canada and the US on the PCA3 test to further evaluate the safety, accuracy and utility of the test. PCA3 may be helpful in identifying patients with a negative biopsy who continue to have high PSA levels, to determine who should have a repeat biopsy or MRI. It may also have a role in identifying patients with more aggressive prostate cancer.

An important development was announced today regarding Canadian research of prostate cancer. A medical device license was granted to the Gen-Probe, a partner of DiagnoCure a Quebec based company, for their PCA3 test. This molecular urine test will help determine the need for repeat biopsies in men suspected of having prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Canada’s Dr. Yves Fradet is involved in the development of this test.

The PCA3 test is currently available in Canada, but is not covered by provincial health plans. Clinical trials were being conducted in Canada and the US on the PCA3 test to further evaluate the safety, accuracy and utility of the test. PCA3 may be helpful in identifying patients with a negative biopsy who continue to have high PSA levels, to determine who should have a repeat prostate biopsy or MRI. It may also have a role in identifying patients with more aggressive prostate cancer.

There were only a limited number of publications evaluating the value of the PCA3 test for men at risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, in order to support an expanded regulatory approval and payment by provincial health plans, Gen-Probe conducted clinical trials in Canada and the US to determine its benefit.

PCC has been closely monitoring the peer-reviewed published data pertaining to the PCA3 test. Gen-Probe recently completed their clinical trials and submitted the results to Health Canada and the FDA to support the necessary regulatory approvals to provide this test to all Canadian men who have elevated PSA but where their first biopsy is negative.

The prostate cancer community is excited about what this test could mean to patients – that doctors may be able to identify prostate cancer while reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies - which are invasive and have some risks/side effects.