Download January 2016 - Prostate Cancer Support Group

January 20th
We are starting off the new year with a RIOT of a time at our January meeting.
The Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT) is a volunteer group of the Canadian
Cancer Society, a group of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in cancer
research labs who are specifically focused on ‘outreach’. Working with the Canadian
Cancer Society, the team communicates the impact of cancer research through public
speaking events. Since 2011, the Toronto team has been dedicated to raising
awareness about the progress and promise of cancer research in the GTA.
http://torontoriot.com/about/
Please join us for what promises to be an interesting and educational evening. All our
meetings are free, drop-in events and newcomers will be given a warm welcome.
In the News:
The use of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in the diagnosis and treatment of
prostate cancer is becoming more and more mainstream and something we should all
be asking about.
Ultrasound and MRI are the two main types of imaging used to aid prostate cancer
diagnosis. Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is now doing prostate biopsy using an MRI
Ultrasound Fusion process. Fusion is a process that blends the ultrasound and MRI
images to create a detailed, 360° prostate map by merging previously captured MRI
images with live ultrasound images. The idea is to use the fused image to guide the
biopsy needles precisely to the lesion to be sampled rather than “poking around and
hoping to find something”. One researcher describes it as “like using a GPS to reach
your destination rather than driving without directions”.
Sunnybrook Hospital’s Odette Cancer Centre is also using MRI guidance but this time
to provide unprecedented precision for brachytherapy treatment of the prostate.
Brachytherapy involves the placement of permanent low-dose-rate radioactive seeds, or
temporary placement of high-dose-rate radioactive sources, directly into cancerous
tissue. Brachytherapy is one of several promising, less invasive, “cancer ablation
therapy” processes being developed to minimize side effects in prostate cancer
treatment. The increasing availability of MRI guidance is what will make these a
success.
What's New at Prostate Cancer Canada:
For the car fans among us, the 2016 “Rock The Road” raffle features a custom 2016
Audi S5 Coupe worth $119,000. This Grand Prize has been generously donated by
TADA (Trillium Automobile Dealers Association). All of the proceeds from Prostate
Cancer Canada’s Rock the Road Raffle fund vital research to improve the lives of the 1
in 8 Canadian men, and their families, who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in
their lifetime. http://www.rocktheroadraffle.ca/
“Questions About PSA Tests?” Find out what you need to know and what Prostate
Cancer Canada recommends at http://www.prostatecancer.ca/ProstateCancer/Testing-and-Diagnosis/The-PSA-Test#.VRc1lfnF-So
“I have Prostate Cancer – Now What?” Use the resources of Prostate Cancer Canada
to help your understanding and decision making
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Prostate-Cancer/Care-and-Support-Post-Treatment/Ihave-prostate-cancer-Now-what#.VM1FA2jF-So
For more information on Prostate Cancer Canada, please go to their website and
Subscribe to the Free Monthly e-Newsletter http://www.prostatecancer.ca/