In recent years, prostate cancer awareness and research has made significant headway with global educational campaigns focused on prevention and survivorship; however, less attention has been given to prostate cancer in the advanced stages – for men whose cancer has spread, or metastasized – and who are running out of time.
September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and on Thursday, September 27, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) hosted its first breakfast reception at Queen’s Park to help raise awareness about metastatic prostate cancer and offer support to this patient population that is often overlooked.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to afflict men in Canada and approximately 26,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually.i Once the tumour spreads beyond the prostate, there are very few treatment options available for these men. As recent advances offer these patients and their caregivers the value of time, promise and hope, the province must continue to take action to improve the support available for this patient population.
The breakfast was well attended, with a large number of MMPs and staff, prostate cancer survivors and their families, and representatives of CCSN. Speakers included:
- Jackie Manthorne, President and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, who provided an overview of prostate cancer in Canada and the unique challenges faced by the metastatic prostate cancer population.
- Liz Sandals, MPP, Guelph and Parliamentary Assistant to the Health Minister Deb Matthews, who brought greetings from the Minister.
- Dr. Sandeep Sehdev, a medical oncologist who shared his experience in treating metastatic prostate cancer and the changing treatment landscape.
- Ron Grant, a Cornwall resident living with metastatic prostate cancer who shared information about himself and about his work to promote the very best standard of care, support, follow up and quality of life for patients and survivors. It aims to educate the public and policy makers about cancer and encourage research on ways to alleviate barriers to optimal cancer care in Canada.
CCSN would like to thank Janssen and sanofi-Canada for their support in making this event possible.
iCanadian Cancer Society. Available at: http://www.cancer.ca/Canadawide/About%20cancer/Cancer%20statistics/Stats%20at%20a%20glance/Prostate%20cancer.aspx?sc_lang=en.
Last accessed August 24, 2012.