What we do and how we do it.
Currently, 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, the leading type of cancer in men. In 2012, it is estimated that 25,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer on Vancouver Island, with 4100 dying from the disease.
To support this demographic of men, our current programs include:
Community Education and Awareness
Through various forms of outreach, we are working towards increasing public education of prostate cancer and early diagnosis at a curable stage. By raising the level of community awareness of the incidence of prostate cancer, we are encouraging earlier detection and more effective treatment of the disease.
Patient Counseling
Patient Follow-Up
Through following up with men who have finished active treatment for prostate cancer, we are trying to coach men to commit to maintaining their health goals and adhering to post treatment disease monitoring. Improving the health of clients post prostate cancer treatment requires transforming a system that is essentially reactive - responding mainly when a person is sick - to one that is proactive and focused on keeping a person as healthy as possible.
Our goals are simply to support men in their cancer journey, provide ongoing adherence to surveillance in this population and monitor risks of disease recurrence, therefore reducing the cost to the health care system of duplicate visits to clinic and family doctor.
Collaboration and Research
The Prostate Centre plays a proactive role in supporting local research which has direct benefit to men right here in our community. Over the past 5 years, we have committed over $100,000 towards Immune Response research for prostate cancer through the Smith Fund at the Deeley Centre, BC Cancer Agency. Through our partnership with the Westcoast Motorcycle Ride to Live - Vancouver Island, we have been able to contribute more than $100,000 to support local research towards a cure and improved treatments. For more information on the research projects we have been able to fund or the Westcoast Motorcycle Ride to Live, visit their website or call The Prostate Centre for more information.
Annual Father's Day Walk / Run for Prostate Cancer
In 2011, The Prostate Centre's Father's Day event saw a 503 participants and over 125 volunteers come together to raise an astonishing $95,000! Money raised at our Father's Day event stays on Vancouver Island for education and research. Join us in 2012 on Father's Day, Sunday June 17th, 2012 and help us reach our goal of raising $100,000!
Prostate Support Association (PSA)
The PSA provides a venue for the sharing of information both in a formal format through presentations from medical professionals and through informal peer support with other group members. This group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at Begbie Hall. For the Support Group meeting schedule, click here. The Support Group also provides Peer Support, ensuring men have the opportunity to talk to other men who have had prostate cancer and treatment, about what it was like and what to expect.
Men’s Health Day
Men’s Health Day is an annual education fair which highlights issues related to all aspects of men’s health. Through free health assessments, consultations, and educational materials, men are encouraged to implement positive lifestyle choices for themselves and to seek early and appropriate treatment for disease and injury. The key component of the event is the free PSA screening for prostate cancer.
Through activities and programs we stimulate public awareness about prostate health and prostate cancer and through collaboration with other organizations, support groups, and medical professionals we strive to enhance quality of care and initiate and fund research programs that seek a cure for prostate cancer.
