2013-09-09 3:58:44 PM
Every debate has two sides – at Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC), we knew when we released our recommendations that they would stimulate an interesting and well-informed discussion. With that philosophy firmly in place, we would like to address a few points that have been raised over the last two days.
2013-09-09 10:02:23 AM
I’ve been given bad news a number of times in my life, and although none of those phone calls or conversations were good, waiting for and getting the call from the urologist was the most difficult. Of course, that doesn’t count the really bad news of my parents and brother passing – but it’s certainly the most difficult call I’ve ever received that involved my own health.
2013-09-03 9:44:19 AM
I’m a pretty curious guy, so I spent some time online (which I know you’re not supposed to do) reading about how prostate biopsies are normally preformed.
Not too much to talk about really – the Radiologist sticks an ultrasound probe up your rectum and measures the size and shape of the prostate and then he or she inserts a needle to freeze the side of the rectum. After the freezing is in, a special instrument called a needle gun is inserted and samples are taken through the wall of the rectum and into the prostate.
2013-08-26 9:38:00 AM
My doctor has happily given me physical prostate exams since I was in my early thirties. I have a family history of prostate cancer and we both knew that at some point there was a very good likelihood that I’d end up with the disease, so he regularly did a rectal exam at least once a year and often more than that. At least once a year, I had a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test done as well. It’s a simple blood test that measures the level of the PSA in your blood, and I think it’s a valuable extra tool doctors should use to help determine someone’s prostate health. There’s a lot of debate about using the PSA test alone, for a myriad of reasons, but in my case we had a long-standing baseline measurement that, combined with regular manual exams, gave us a pretty accurate picture of my prostate health.
2013-08-19 10:21:49 AM
I am a very happily retired guy who’s been enjoying the good life since October 26, 2010, when my wife and I retired from 37 years at The StarPhoenix. During my working career I started in the Composing Room producing advertisements for the newspaper in hot metal type – I was actually the last person at the SP using hot metal when we converted to what we called cold type in the mid-seventies.
2012-09-22 4:13:28 PM
The Breast Friends are supporting PCC by donating proceeds from one of their cookbooks! They've graciously shared some of their recipes (below) in honour of Prostate Cancer Awareness week. If you're looking for meal ideas this weekend you should try some of these out!
2012-09-19 2:22:30 PM
We hear a lot about research in the field of cancer these days. There have been so many exciting developments that have opened the door to potential new treatments and knowledge.
2012-09-18 2:51:49 PM
When we think about prostate cancer, we might think of a conversation we had with our doctor. Or maybe a conversation with our family or friends. What about a conversation with your local MP?
2012-09-17 4:41:00 PM
We pass by men on the street every day. They’re our co-workers, neighbours and friends. Closer to home, we talk to our fathers, brothers and husbands. Men occupy important places in our lives- and yet, we don’t stop to consider that during their lifetime 1 in 7 of them will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
2012-08-28 1:59:09 PM
Given the prevalence of prostate cancer in Canadian men, the message couldn’t be clearer: we need to expand survivorship services. That’s why we’re so excited about launching ‘A Survivorship Action Partnership’ (ASAP).