Representing CPCN from the local support group: Bob Shiell, president CPCN and ProstAid Calgary

Representing CPCN from the local support group:Bob Shiell, president CPCNand ProstAid Calgary

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If women got prostate cancer….

…everyone would know about it!

Breast cancer and prostate cancer have the same rate of incidence, yet breast cancer receives much more press! Women are motivated to talk

about their health concerns, and rally for support.

Men are motivated to find excuses to ignore their health concerns, and hide.

3The difference between women and men

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Where is the prostate, anyway?

Surrounds upper part of urethra

Size and texture of a small ripe plum

5Possible levels of prostate cancer at diagnosisLocal-regional disease spread

CAPSULE

Tumor

TumorPROSTATE GLAND

LymphNode

Other organs

Systemic Spread

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The risk is bigger than you think…

1 in 6 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It is the most common cancer

in Canadian men - an estimated 22,300 were diagnosed in 2006.

Only lung cancer takes more lives: an estimated 4,300 Canadian men died from prostate cancer in 2006.

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It’s not an old man’s disease…

Men in their forties are at risk.Risk increases with age:

30-39 . . . . . . . . . . 540-49 . . . . . . . . 34050-59 . . . . . . . 350060-69 . . . . . . . 800070-79 . . . . . . . 700080+ . . . . . . . . 3400

A man over 50 is 3x more likely to die from prostate cancer than be killed in a car accident.

Not just this guy!

Breakdown of estimated 22,300 cases (some figures rounded off)

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The trick is catching it early…

95% of prostate cancer is curable if detected and treated in the early stages.

There are no symptoms in the early stages so it’s essential to check the prostate every year via two tests available through a doctor.

To ignore the risk of prostate cancer is equivalent to…

9Things you don’t learn from the Discovery Channel

A man is 1,200 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than be killed by lightning. Men who have actually been struck by lightning

– and lived to talk about it – will say it took them “by surprise.” So will men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer.


A man is 108,000 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than be lunch for a shark. Sharks are what they eat and so are humans.

Men who choose to eat less red meat/dairy and more vegetables/fruit may reduce their risk of developing advanced prostate cancer.


A man is 900 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than be killed in a mountain climbing accident. To have your prostate

checked takes only 10 minutes, far lesstime than it takes to climb a mountain.


Unlike a snake bite, prostate cancer doesn’t give you blurred vision and a rapid pulse. In fact, prostate cancer has no symptoms in its

early stages. That’s why early detection is so important.

This is too easy.

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Prostate Cancer Survival Checklist

See your doctor once a year to have your prostate checked. See your doctor sooner, if you have

symptoms of prostate trouble!Eat more nutritious foods.Take a multi-vitamin daily.Watch your weight.Exercise.Know your PSA score!

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Don’t wait to see a doctor if you experience prostate trouble e.g.,* Changes in urination habits

or flow Erectile difficulties Pain in the pelvis, hips or

lower backProstate trouble is a warning

sign but not confirmation of prostate cancer!

*Not a complete list of symptoms!

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What is the right age? Start talking to your doctor about your prostate

at age 40. Take a single PSA test at age 40 to establish a

benchmark for comparison. Continue to have your prostate checked once

a year. Know your PSA score! Ask your doctor for a

number even if he says you’re “fine”!

Oh, you’re fine.

*The meaning of a PSA score depends on many factors, so don’t compare your score to anybody else’s – only your own benchmark!

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What are the risk factors? Age: risk increases with age. Race: men of African or Caribbean descent are more

likely to be diagnosed than Caucasians. Family history: the risk doubles if one close relative (i.e,

father, brother) has it. With two close relatives, the risk increases 5 to 10 times.

Diet: some studies suggest that a high-fat diet, particularly red meat and dairy products, stimulates the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Me, too, Dad

19What to say to opponents of the PSA test…

Yes, we need a better test! The PSA test is not perfect. There are “false

positives” and “false negatives,” meaning it can say you have prostate cancer when you don’t, and say you don’t have prostate cancer when you do.

Still, it works, it saves lives and countless prostate cancer survivors are thankful.

20What to say to opponents of the PSA test…

Since widespread use of the PSA test began in 1991: 5-year survival rates have risen from 75% to

99%. The incidence of advanced prostate cancer at

the time of diagnosis has decreased by 75%.

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Eat 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day. More richly coloured fruits and vegetables More “cruciferous” vegetables – broccoli,

cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts More tomatoes and cooked tomato

products (e.g. sauce) More garlic, onions, shallots Key words: phytochemicals,

anti-oxidants, lycopene, glucosinolates, allyl sulphides

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Other diet tips: More fibre - at least 25 grams per day Less red meat and less saturated fat No 2% or whole milk; only skim or soy milk More omega 3 fatty acids e.g. nuts

and fish (not fried!) such as salmon More soy protein (25 grams/day)

and ground flaxseed (1-2 tbsp/day) More green tea Key words: Isoflavones (soy),

Polyphenols (tea)

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Take a multivitamin daily. While it’s better to get essential nutrients

through food, vitamins can help bolster your daily intake. Focus on:Vitamin C and EVitamin D (supplements are essential in the

winter season when sunlight is minimal) Selenium

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What’s wrong with this picture?

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What to know about treatment

The right treatment for each man depends on the individual case. For early cancer that has not spread outside the prostate gland or nearby area, the options are: “Active surveillance”: defer treatment and watch closely for

signs of progression. Surgery: remove the prostate via a radical prostatectomy or

laparoscopic surgery. Radiation: kill cancer cells with external beam radiation, or by

implanting tiny radioactive seeds. Other: freeze cancer cells with

cryotherapy or heat them with HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound).

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Depending on the treatment and the individual, side effects can range from short to long term incontinence or impotence, to other effects such aspain and depression. Untreated, prostate cancer is fatal.

Side effects, although a concern, donot outweigh the benefits of treatment.

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For prostate cancer that returns after initial therapy, the options depend on the case. Some may require observation, some ‘salvage’

radiation treatment and some may proceed to hormone therapy.

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For advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, the options include: Hormone Therapy: starve the cancer cells of

testosterone with drugs that inhibit testosterone production.

Chemotherapy: take medications that are toxic to cancer cells. Generally used to treat cancers that have become resistant to hormone therapy.

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All patients have these options: Complementary and alternative medicines

Some patients try treatments in addition to, or instead of conventional treatments.

Investigational treatment Some patients enroll in research studies known

as clinical trials, to try promising new therapies or techniques.

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Get checked, get educated

For more information: www.cpcn.org www.prostaid.org

Our prostate cancer support group meets Time: 7:30 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month Place: Foothills Hospital Auditorum It’s free and everyone is welcome!

http://www.cpcn.org/

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Documents

Representing CPCN from the local support group: Bob Shiell, president CPCN and ProstAid Calgary