Vancouver Prostate Cancer Support and Awareness Group
Mission: To create Awareness and provide Support and Education about Prostate Cancer
By Norm Dooley
Location: Thomas Building, Sze Combo, D1-080/084
Livestream: https://fredhutch.hosted.
Feedback Form: https://ppcrspore.formstack.
*Please note that this feedback form will stay active for one week following this presentation.
Organized and Presented by SPORE–Society for Patient Oriented Research–Vancouver and Seattle
By Norm Dooley
As you know, the Vancouver Prostate Cancer Support Group meets each month in the facilities of Inspire Health at 1300 W. 8th Ave. at no cost. We really appreciate their support and in turn we want to support the wonderful services to cancer patients which they supply for free.
But, they continue to need to fund raise. At the end of February, Inspire Health is sponsoring walk to generate funds to pay for the many services and workshops that they provide. You can learn more about their services for us at https://www.inspirehealth.ca and you can participate in their fund raising event too.
Event: Rain Walk
Date: Saturday, February 29
Location: Vancouver Creekside Community Centre
Register: inspire health.ca/rainwalk
Don’t miss this chance for some good exercise!
By Norm Dooley
Updates from Around the PC Information World
1. Does stress worsen prostate cancer? The short answer is uncertain, but what is clear is that we need to reduce it to be safe. Read the article http://cure.pcf.org/site/R?i=Q_gsPcpZ8TokAUZo31jAqw
2. New Patient Education Video on Stress Reduction
BC Cancer Agency, Patient and Family Counselling Services, has developed a patient education video dedicated to cancer patients and their families who are learning to find their “breath” after a cancer diagnosis. This 12 minute video is called “Managing Stress While Living with Cancer”. The video focuses on understanding how stress impacts the body, a guided mindfulness practice and patient experiences of using stress reduction techniques. Two BCCA counsellors in Abbotsford (Dr. Kirk Austin) and Vancouver (Melanie McDonald) showcase their knowledge and experience. This video can be found on the BC Cancer website under Coping with Cancer – Emotional Support – Managing Stress as a part of our Managing Stress Toolbox. Link— Managing
Stress While Dealing with Cancer
3. Meanwhile, Immunotherapy is the new treatment focus in much of research and clinical trials. Here is an interview with 2018 Nobel laureate Jim Allison who discusses unleashing the immune system through immunotherapy…..Watch the video http://cure.pcf.org/site/R?i=z8JTCPgx32jR1YmevKxS2Q
By Norm Dooley
The relationship between genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and cancer is well established. But there is also a genetic mutation factor prevalent among ethnic groups that heightens the possibility of having one or more BRCA mutations which could lead to prostate and breast cancers. The B’nai Brith Society in British Columbia has launched a new website that is dedicated to explaining what BRCA gene mutations are, their relationship to specific forms of cancer and their frequency among the Ashkenazi-Jewish population.
You will find this website of interest and value even if you are not a member of that specific community. The website does a good job of explaining some of the basics of BRCA genetic mutations and their prevalence. It also lists a number of public and private genome testing services that are available and what they provide, including the Hereditary Cancer Program offered by the BC Cancer Agency.
You can find the website at https://www.brcainbc.ca