Research Blog articles

Exercise & Cancer

Chris_McNamara — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 04:09:58 GMT

Research shows that how we think about our cancer and exercise may influence how much we exercise.

Research by Dr Siân Cole and the Psycho-oncology Research Team at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre – Dr Gemma Skaczkowski and Prof Carlene Wilson - found that beliefs around exercise and cancer influence levels of exercise engagement in adults undergoing treatment for cancer.

Mindfulness for managing the effects of prostate cancer

Jacqui_Schmitt — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 01:33:43 GMT

Receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer is a major life stress for most men and their loved ones. Suddenly, the things that matter most seem threatened and it is very normal to experience a wide range of feelings and emotions.

Sometimes you may feel more distressed than at other times. Your feelings might be more intense while waiting for test results, making treatment decisions or just before commencing treatment. Side effects from treatment may also cause stress and upset. After treatment, you may worry about the cancer returning.

Today, there are over 220,000 men living after a diagnosis of prostate cancer. For most men the long-term outlook is very good - relative to the general population and considering other causes of death, 95% of men with prostate cancer will survive at least five years after diagnosis and 91% of men with prostate cancer will survive 10 years or more.

To help improve the lives of men living with prostate cancer, there is a need for more evidence-based strategies to help them manage the challenges of living with the disease. There is growing evidence that mindfulness is one strategy that can be used to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with prostate cancer.

Advanced and metastatic prostate cancer – what is it?

Jacqui_Schmitt — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 06:06:12 GMT

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with about 17,000 men newly diagnosed each year. For most men the long-term outlook is very good - relative to the general population and considering other causes of death, 95% of men with prostate cancer will survive at least five years after diagnosis and 91% of men with prostate cancer will survive 10 years or more. Today there are around 220,000 Australian men alive after a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Of concern to our mission, for men who develop advanced prostate cancer, the outlook is not as good. Prostate cancer kills more than 3,000 men in Australia every year, representing about 12% of all male deaths from cancer. So, what is advanced prostate cancer, how is it detected and how is it treated?

Fat loss and fitness for prostate cancer surgery – how important is it?

Chris_McNamara — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 06:45:03 GMT

If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your overall health and fitness can impact your treatment options, as well as influencing how you physically recover from surgery and other types of therapy. Maintaining a healthy weight is key, a point backed up by new Australian research.

Understanding PSA Test Results

Jacqui_Schmitt — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 04:26:52 GMT

Medicare data suggests that up to 21% of Australian men aged 45–74 choose to have a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test each year, and about 19% of men aged over 74 also undergo testing.

While PSA testing helps to identify men with an increased risk of undiagnosed prostate cancer, and can help to diagnose prostate cancers earlier, it can also produce false positive results, and in some men picks up cancers that are so slow growing that they do not affect a man’s life expectancy, a finding known as over-diagnosis. False positives and over-diagnosis can cause harm, which means men and their doctors need to carefully consider the pros and cons of testing, based on each man’s age and other individual characteristics.

For men with no family history of prostate cancer and no symptoms, the current guidelines recommend that men who decide to undergo regular testing should be offered PSA testing every two years from age 50 to 69.

For men with a family history of prostate cancer who decide to undergo testing, the guidelines recommend men be offered PSA testing every two years from age 40/45 to 69, with the starting age depending on the strength of their family history.

Active Surveillance for prostate cancer – is it right for you?

Jacqui_Schmitt — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 07:17:06 GMT

If you have low risk prostate cancer, Active Surveillance is increasingly being recommended as a management option for your disease, in order to avoid unnecessary and invasive treatments when it is clinically safe to do so. Estimates suggest about 60% of low risk prostate cancers in Australia are managed with Active Surveillance.

So, what is Active Surveillance, and is it a good treatment option for you?

Prostate cancer patient led study shows significant impact on quality of life after treatment.

Jacqui_Schmitt — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 07:08:24 GMT

A world-first international prostate cancer quality of life study has been carried out by prostate cancer patients themselves. This is the largest study ever conducted by patients and its findings suggest that the different types of treatment for prostate cancer have differing impacts on quality of life. The study suggests that significant numbers of men struggle with urinary incontinence and sexual problems after treatment and that the impact on their quality of life may be greater than previously thought.

Prostate cancer in Australia – what do the numbers tell us?

Jacqui_Schmitt — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 23:18:23 GMT

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has just released the latest figures on prostate cancer incidence, mortality, and survival in Australia.

The trends over time are different to the trends we see for many other types of cancer, including a decreasing number of diagnoses since 2009, when cases peaked in Australia. In that year, 22,146 cases were diagnosed, compared to 16,741 cases expected to be diagnosed this year. With an ageing and increasing population, we might ordinarily expect to see the number of men diagnosed increase, but this has not been the case.

Predicting the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment from a blood test.

Jacqui_Schmitt — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 07:01:02 GMT

What if a simple blood test could predict the effectiveness of a treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)? A recent Australian study suggests this is a possibility. Using a blood test, researchers were able to detect circulating cell free DNA and RNA for altered androgen receptors in the blood of men with mCRPC. Men who had altered androgen receptor DNA or RNA in their blood had a poor response to treatment.

Low awareness can be lethal

Chris_McNamara — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 07:45:42 GMT

Alarming new research has revealed about 70 per cent of Australians don’t know the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, prompting Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to call for greater public investment in targeted community awareness activities.

The findings have been reported in the Not All Prostate Cancer is the Same report, released by the Prostate Cancer Patient Coalition – Asia Pacific (PCPC).

Not all high-grade prostate cancers are the same (Dr Jacqueline Schmitt)

Chris_McNamara — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 22:51:49 GMT

In a recent study, researchers have found that not all high-grade prostate cancers are the same. The research examined Gleason grade group 5 prostate cancers which are associated with aggressive disease and poor outcome and found that some cancers of this type were more aggressive then others based on differing patterns of gene expression. This is important work that may one day help clinicians decide how best to treat different subgroups of Gleason grade group 5 prostate cancers. The advantage of this is that men with less aggressive cancers may be spared the side effects of intensive treatment while those with more aggressive cancers receive intensive and more targeted treatment.

Advancing precision medicine for metastatic prostate cancer - US FDA approves new PARP inhibitors

Jacqui_Schmitt — Fri, 22 May 2020 06:42:00 GMT

In one giant leap for advanced prostate cancer, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has this week approved two new PARP inhibitors for the treatment of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancers which have specific genetic mutations.

Could androgen deprivation therapy guard against severe COVID-19 and related infections?

Jacqui_Schmitt — Thu, 14 May 2020 20:52:00 GMT

Professor Alimonti’s team examined the medical records of 9280 patients (4532 were men) with confirmed COVID-19 infection registered on 1st April 2020. The data were from 68 different hospitals in Veneto, one of the regions hardest hit by the disease in Italy. The information collected about these patients included gender, hospitalisation, admission to intensive care unit, death, tumour diagnosis, prostate cancer diagnosis, and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT).

Metastasis directed therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer

Jacqui_Schmitt — Fri, 08 May 2020 04:21:00 GMT

The increasing use of PSMA PET scans to image prostate cancer means that metastatic prostate cancer can be detected and targeted more effectively. For a specific type of metastatic disease, known as oligometastatic prostate cancer, emerging evidence suggests that treating the individual oligometastatic sites of disease by metastasis directed therapy (MDT) could delay both the progression of the cancer and the need for androgen deprivation therapy.

Harnessing the immune system to control prostate cancer spread to bone

Jacqui_Schmitt — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 05:16:00 GMT

In a ground-breaking discovery for men with aggressive prostate cancer, Australian scientists have found a new way to make prostate cancer cells that have spread to bone more visible, so that the immune system can more easily recognise and kill them.

Combatting Coronavirus – Community Action & Worldwide Collaboration.

Jacqui_Schmitt — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 01:55:00 GMT

We are in the middle of global pandemic that has escalated very rapidly. The whole world has had to shift its focus to managing this disease. Medical professionals, scientists, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, government and non-government health bodies are all working together to fight this coronavirus outbreak.

PCFA-funded Australian trial shows PSMA-PET scans can replace CT and bone scans for diagnosis of high-risk prostate cancer.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 03:32:00 GMT

A ground-breaking new Australian trial funded by PCFA has tested the benefits of PSMA-PET scans used at diagnosis. Results show that these scans can replace the current CT and bone scans used by men with high-risk prostate cancer at their time of diagnosis. This week’s research blog asks why this trial is ground-breaking and how it could change clinical practice.

A web-based prediction tool to help with decisions between treatment and management options for localised prostate cancer.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:33:00 GMT

For men with localised prostate cancer, the decision between different treatment and active surveillance options is a very important one. These men want to know their risks of difficult side effects from these options. New research from the US has created a web-based prediction tool for side effects to help men and their doctors in making this decision.

Online support groups and online communities for prostate cancer.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 02:09:00 GMT

Diagnosis with prostate cancer leads to a wide range of emotions such as fear, anxiety and helplessness. Many men with prostate cancer turn to online groups for help. Online support groups and online communities are a source of information, shared experiences and empowerment for people affected by cancer. A new Australian study has analysed publicly-available conversations from online support groups to track discussions of emotional distress.

Male firefighters have an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 05:15:00 GMT

Australian professional and volunteer firefighters do a brave and difficult job. Their recent efforts during the 2019-2020 bushfire season have saved many lives. But there is evidence that firefighters have an increased risk of some cancers. Are our firefighters more likely to get prostate cancer?

Sleep disruptions are associated with prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 03:22:00 GMT

Difficulty sleeping is a common issue for men with prostate cancer, yet it’s rarely discussed. The symptoms of prostate cancer, side effects of treatments and other issues associated with the disease may be causing sleep problems. This week’s research blog looks at some of the latest research studying sleep for men with prostate cancer.

Asking the experts: 50 support group leaders talk about survivorship needs

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 04:09:00 GMT

Men with prostate cancer have stepped up to provide support to their peers in the community, where the healthcare system is lagging behind. Support group leaders are dedicated volunteers with many years’ experience in supporting prostate cancer survivors. A new Australian study has interviewed these experts to hear their priorities for prostate cancer survivorship care.

Immediate versus delayed exercise for men on hormone therapy

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 23:26:00 GMT

Hormone therapy is a very effective treatment for prostate cancer, but the side effects are usually difficult to manage. New Australian research has analysed the benefits of exercise for bones and muscles. The trial asked whether starting an exercise program at the same time as starting hormone therapy was better than delaying exercise.

The search for a prostate cancer magic bullet

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 01:15:00 GMT

An example of a magic bullet is the breast cancer drug Kadcyla. Kadcyla targets breast cancer cells via receptors on the surface of breast cancer cells. It carries a toxin that kills these cells.

A comparison of medications for inducing erections after prostate surgery.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 01:59:00 GMT

Surgery to remove a prostate tumour can have devastating effects on a man’s ability to have sex. Many men try devices and medications such as Viagra to help them have sex after surgery. This week’s research blog discusses the help available to achieve erections and the latest research comparing erection medications.

Optimising radiotherapy for spinal compression

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:30:00 GMT

Prostate tumours that have spread to the bones cause pain and have a major impact on quality-of-life. They can also lead to serious issues such as spinal compression. New research from the UK has addressed the best way to treat and prevent spinal compression using radiotherapy for men with prostate cancer.

An AI can determine Gleason scores for prostate cancer diagnosis

Wendy_Winnall — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Biopsies are an important step in prostate cancer diagnosis. Improving the accuracy of biopsies could therefore improve the diagnosis process. An exciting new study from The Netherlands has developed an AI (artificial intelligence) to improve the analysis of biopsy tissue and Gleason grading.

The road to precision medicine

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 00:27:00 GMT

Precision medicine for cancer means that the treatment most likely to help the patient is chosen based on test results. This approach is closer to reality for prostate cancer with exciting clinical trial results from 2019. The latest good news comes from a trial linking the benefits of Olaparib (Lynparza) with alterations in DNA repair genes.

Keytruda benefits a small proportion of men with late-stage metastatic prostate cancer.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 00:30:00 GMT

Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug that has revolutionised treatment for cancers such as melanoma and lung cancer. Unfortunately, the same level of success has not been seen for prostate cancer. Now a new study has some hopeful results, showing a small proportion of men with late-stage prostate cancer will benefit from Keytruda.

A pelvic floor exercise program starting before prostate surgery improves the recovery of urinary continence

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 23:20:00 GMT

Pelvic floor muscles control the bladder and the flow of urine. Exercising these muscles can help men regain control over urine flow after prostate surgery. New research from Australia has defined an effective pelvic floor exercise program that starts before surgery.

Enzalutamide has benefits when taken after Abiraterone by men with metastatic prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 03:01:00 GMT

Two anti-hormone drugs are available in Australia to treat metastatic prostate cancer. Both Abiraterone and Enzalutamide can slow the growth of these tumours. A new clinical trial has asked whether men would benefit from taking one after the other, and which order is best.

Highlights from the COSA19 conference

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 06:11:00 GMT

This November, members of PCFA attended COSA19, the annual meeting of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. The COSA meeting brings together clinicians, nurses, allied healthcare and scientists to discuss the clinical management and supportive care for cancer. At this year’s meeting urological cancer was a special theme, meaning there were many prostate cancer presentations. Numerous sessions were dedicated to prostate cancer as well as other important aspects of cancer treatment and care. Some of the highlight sessions were digital health, euthanasia issues and end-of-life care, living with the after-effects of prostate cancer and an opening session dedicated to the future of prostate cancer management.

Is masculinity stopping men with prostate cancer asking for help?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 04:17:00 GMT

A new Australian study has asked whether aspects of masculinity are affecting the help-seeking of men with prostate cancer.

Patterns of prostate cancer diagnoses and deaths around the world

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 04:55:00 GMT

Tracking prostate cancer cases around the world provides insights into the men most at risk of getting this disease and those who are dying from it. New international data show that the countries with the highest deaths rates from prostate cancer are not necessarily the ones with the highest rates of diagnoses. This week’s blog looks at the patterns of prostate cancer diagnoses around the world and asks how this disease is affecting people living in developing countries.

Should we reduce dairy foods to reduce the risk of prostate cancer?

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 23:10:00 GMT

Every week there is a new story in the media about foods that cause or cure cancer. This week a study from the USA is reported to show that dairy foods are causing prostate cancer. Is it time to throw away the cheese and milk?

PSA testing for men with BRCA gene mutations

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 02:52:00 GMT

Men who are carriers of BRCA2 gene mutations have a higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. This information provides an opportunity to catch prostate cancer early for these men. The IMPACT trial has tested whether PSA testing at a younger age is useful for men with BRCA gene mutations.

Community Conversations 2019

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:23:00 GMT

PCFA hosted its fourth annual Community Conversations this September during Prostate Cancer Awareness month. Hosted by MC Julie McCrossin, this year’s event was held at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney. Community Conversations brings together prostate cancer patients and their families with leading scientists, clinicians and health professionals. The forum promotes conversations about prostate cancer between these people, so that we can learn from each other.

What are PARP inhibitors and why are scientists excited about them?

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 05:36:00 GMT

PARP inhibitors are new drugs that are being developed for prostate cancer. They won’t work for all men but are designed to treat men with defects in DNA repair genes. Four different PARP inhibitors look promising in early clinical trials. Researchers hope that a PARP inhibitor will be the first precision medicine for prostate cancer. This week’s blog summarises the latest clinical trials testing PARP inhibitors for men with late-stage prostate cancer.

Insulin changes the nature of prostate cancer cells

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 03:18:00 GMT

Insulin is a hormone that regulates sugar levels in the blood. Scientists suspect that insulin can promote the growth of prostate tumours under certain conditions. Australian researchers have now shown that insulin can change the nature of prostate cancer cells when testosterone levels are low. This research helps us to identify targets for new prostate cancer drugs.

News from the prostate cancer pharmaceutical industry

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 03:12:00 GMT

Prostate cancer drugs are big business. It’s not ideal that companies profit from illness, but there are advantages to this situation. A large market for prostate cancer medicine means that these companies invest considerable resources into developing new drugs. The news coming from this industry can therefore tell us about the potential future treatments for men with prostate cancer.

The FOXA1 gene is an important driver of prostate cancer formation and growth

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 05:52:00 GMT

When back-to-back articles are published in one of the world’s top scientific journals, Nature, we know that something exciting is going on. Scientists from two different laboratories have discovered the mechanisms by which a gene called FOXA1 drives prostate cancer formation. FOXA1 is therefore a potential target for new drugs to block growth of prostate cancer.

Where are the prostate cancer immunotherapies?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 04:49:00 GMT

Immunotherapy for treating cancer has been one of the most exciting medical breakthroughs in the past decade. Drugs such as checkpoint inhibitors have greatly improved survival rates for a number of cancers. So where are the immunotherapies for prostate cancer?

PSA testing and cancer screening in Australia

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 06:18:00 GMT

The online tool goes hand-in-hand with our PSA testing guidelines. PCFA’s guidelines from 2016 recommend that:

Highlights from the Asia-Pacific Prostate Cancer Conference 2019

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 06:14:00 GMT

This year’s APCC conference brought together clinicians, allied health care, nurses and scientists. The meeting in Melbourne hosted discussions of the latest breakthroughs, clinical trials and best practice in care for men with prostate cancer. A focus on patient-reported outcome measures was one of the many highlights.

Testing for hereditary gene mutations in men with metastatic prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 07:18:00 GMT

International guidelines recommend genetic tests for men with metastatic prostate cancer. The aim of these tests is to look for mutations in genes that may have contributed to the cancer. Unfortunately, these tests are expensive. They are not systematically performed in Australia. Would Australian men with metastatic prostate cancer benefit from genetic tests?

New radiotherapy techniques tested in clinical trials.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 06:08:00 GMT

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer is constantly being improved. Some of these modifications involve giving a higher dose of radiation over a shorter time-period. Although the outcomes are similar, this reduces the number of treatments for the patient and frees up healthcare resources. This week’s blog describes the latest clinical trial results for ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Which diet and lifestyle recommendations for men with prostate cancer are supported by science?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 03:37:00 GMT

Men diagnosed with prostate cancer often wish to improve their diet and lifestyle to help fight this disease. The internet is full of advice on foods, supplements and other lifestyle changes. But which advice can be trusted? This week’s research blog examines the scientific evidence around diet and lifestyle changes for men with prostate cancer.

Highlights of the 2019 ANZUP conference

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 02:57:00 GMT

PCFA staff recently attended the ANZUP Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane. ANZUP 2019 featured a symposium for PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses, updates on the current treatments for different stages of prostate cancer, overviews of current and planned clinical trials and a community engagement forum.

Apalutamide improves survival times in men with metastatic prostate cancer when used with hormone therapy.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 01:09:00 GMT

Apalutamide (Erlyand) is a new drug that delays disease progression in men with advanced prostate cancer whose PSA is rising despite hormone therapy. Apalutamide has now been tested as a treatment at an earlier stage of advanced prostate cancer. This week’s blog describes exciting new results from the TITAN clinical trial.

Race as a risk factor for prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white American men. Genetics is therefore a risk factor for prostate cancer diagnosis. There is also data to suggest that an African American man with prostate cancer is more likely to die from this disease than a white American man. But a new study from the US has shown that it isn’t genetics that is causing poor outcomes in these men.

A promising new urine test for prostate cancer is being developed.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 03:42:00 GMT

UK researchers are developing a new test for prostate cancer. The test uses a urine sample to look for 36 genes that indicate the presence of prostate cancer. It may also be useful for men who have already been diagnosed. It’s hoped that this new test can more accurately predict the risk of prostate cancer than current methods.

Dust from the World Trade Center site may have affected the prostate glands of responders.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 04:34:00 GMT

It’s claimed that responders to the World Trade Center site after the 2001 attacks have an increased rate of prostate cancer. But the evidence so far has been unclear. A new study has found that exposure to dust from the site can affect prostate glands. This research delivers important clues to the changes in the prostate gland that occur when exposed to toxic substances.

Promising results from the ENZAMET clinical trial

Wendy_Winnall — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 06:50:00 GMT

Enzalutamide (Xtandi) is a medicine that helps men with metastatic prostate cancer live longer. In Australia it’s used by men with late-stage disease, called metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. A large Australian and New Zealand clinical trial has now shown that Enzalutamide improves survival times if taken at an earlier stage, with hormone therapy. But unfortunately adding Enzalutamide to hormone therapy brings a higher risk of side effects.

Risk factors for prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 05:16:00 GMT

For all cancers, the underlying causes are changes to DNA molecules inside cells. Cells with damaged DNA may grow out of control, forming a large clump of cells called a tumour. But what causes the DNA of these cells to change?

Life after rejecting treatment advice for prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 03:48:00 GMT

Some men reject their doctor’s recommendations for prostate cancer treatment. They do this for various reasons. Sometimes it turns out well – they avoid over-treatment. Other times it turns out not-so-well. Either way, it’s a difficult decision to make, which has profound consequences for these men and their families. A new study has interviewed 11 Australian men who rejected their doctor’s treatment advice to find out how this decision affected their lives.

Prostate cancer with low PSA

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 28 May 2019 02:32:00 GMT

A high reading on a PSA blood test can pick up prostate cancer early. But not all prostate cancers have a high PSA. Some men are diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer but still have a very low PSA level. The journey for men whose PSA doesn’t rise with prostate cancer can be considerably more difficult. This week’s blog looks a new research regarding the characteristics of the tumours and outcomes for men with low-PSA high-grade prostate cancer.

Antibodies for treating prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 21 May 2019 03:30:00 GMT

Researchers have successfully made an antibody to target prostate cancer. This antibody binds a protein called PSMA, found on the surface of prostate cancer cells. It is a “biological tool”, with the potential to be part of a new therapy targeting prostate cancer. This week’s blog explains what an antibody is, and how they are revolutionising cancer therapies.

PSA testing for men who have had treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 14 May 2019 05:05:00 GMT

A non-cancerous, enlarged prostate can be treated with drugs to reduce symptoms. Drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) reduce PSA levels for these men. This could be problematic, as it could hide the PSA increase caused by a small prostate tumour. Results from a new study in California have suggested that PSA suppression in 5-ARI users was not routinely accounted for during prostate cancer testing, leading to delays in prostate cancer diagnosis and worse outcomes.

What next when focal therapy for prostate cancer is not enough?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 07 May 2019 01:26:00 GMT

Focal therapies are experimental treatments for localised prostate cancer. Focal therapies destroy small tumours, preserving some of the prostate gland. The aim is to treat the cancer with less side effects than surgery or radiotherapy. But what happens if prostate cancer comes back after focal therapy? Will the focal therapy make subsequent treatment more difficult?

How accurate are websites on focal therapies for prostate cancer?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 04:15:00 GMT

The internet is a double-edged sword. For men with prostate cancer, the internet is an important source of information for them. It provides information about tests, treatments and clinical trials that is not forthcoming from doctors. But the accuracy of this information is often difficult to assess. This week’s blog describes a study that assesses the accuracy of popular websites about focal therapies for prostate cancer.

European Association of Urology Congress 2019

PCFA_Admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 06:59:00 GMT

Following the update on a new surgical technique for the restoration of sexual function in men post-surgery for prostate cancer, this week we have brought two further articles on the subject that might be of interest to you.

The results of the study assessing the success rate of a new surgical technique to restore sexual function after prostate surgery are now published.

PCFA_Admin — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 01:44:00 GMT

A significant proportion of men experience impotence after prostate surgery. Although there are drugs and devices that can help improve this condition, there remain thousands of Australian men with long-term impotence who are not helped by these options.

Prostate cancer awareness: lessons from men who haven’t been diagnosed.

Wendy_Winnall — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 03:02:00 GMT

Men living in outside metropolitan areas in Australia have a higher risk of dying from prostate cancer. There is some evidence that these men are being diagnosed at a later stage, with more advanced prostate cancer. This could be improved by better awareness of prostate cancer in the countryside. A new Australian study has interviewed undiagnosed men to hear their perspectives on prostate cancer. This study has uncovered barriers to prostate cancer awareness and early detection for Australian men.

Combining radium-223 (Xofigo) with Abiraterone (Zytiga) is not recommended.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 22:00:00 GMT

Radium-223 (Xofigo) and Abiraterone (Zytiga) are two treatments used by Australian men with metastatic prostate cancer. Both are relatively effective and have acceptable side effect profiles. They work using different mechanisms of action. So it’s tempting to predict that taking both at once would be even better than taking one. However, results from a large clinical trial have now shown that this is a dangerous approach.

Diagnosis and over-diagnosis of prostate cancer in Australia

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 03:31:00 GMT

New statistics from the Australian Government show that prostate cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer for Australian men. But a recent publication has predicted that 41% of prostate cancer diagnoses in Australia have been unnecessary. Over-diagnosis due to PSA-testing has been a controversial issue for many years. This week’s blog reports on prostate cancer diagnosis and overdiagnosis rates in Australia.

An update on prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcomes 2015-2016: annual report of the PCOR-ANZ

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 02:45:00 GMT

PCOR-ANZ stands for Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry - Australia and New Zealand. This valuable initiative is funded by The Movember Foundation and run through Monash University. Numerous state governments, research institutes, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies have also contributed to the costs of data collection. The PCOR-ANZ systematically collects clinical and patient-reported outcomes data. Collecting this data allows them to report on what type of men are getting prostate cancer, what treatments they have and how they are coping during their prostate cancer journey.

Prostate cancer in younger men

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 04:11:00 GMT

Younger men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer face many challenges. They may be fighting this disease at a busy time in their working lives, or whilst looking after a young family, or dating or trying to conceive children. Younger men with advanced prostate cancer face having their lives cut dramatically short by this disease. New research is helping to understand the nature of early-onset prostate cancer and the best strategies for management and treatment.

Designing better support programs for couples with sexual issues after prostate surgery

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 02:12:00 GMT

It’s an unfortunate reality that prostate surgery can be bad for your sex life. Men and their partners need better support to help them deal with changes to sex after this surgery. A new Australian study has compared two different methods of delivering support to help couples with problems having sex after surgery. This research is essential for designing support services that actually work and make a difference for these couples.

Darolutamide, a new drug in development for men with non-metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 06:45:00 GMT

Men with prostate cancer, who have a rising PSA despite hormone therapy, know their cancer is on the move. New treatments are needed to slow cancer growth at this stage. The successful ARAMIS clinical trial has demonstrated that Darolutamide can slow tumour progression, giving these men more time before their cancer spreads. But the path to this drug becoming available in Australia is unclear.

Blocking fatty acid uptake: a new approach to treating prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 03:00:00 GMT

A new Australian study has uncovered a weakness in prostate cancer cells. The researchers studied the energy needs of prostate cancer cells grown in the laboratory and in mice. Their results indicate that blocking fatty acid uptake may slow the progression of prostate cancer. This week’s research blog describes the latest findings, discusses fatty acids, and whether we need to avoid them.

Complementary and alternative therapies for prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 03:55:00 GMT

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. Men with prostate cancer often react with determination, vowing to fight the disease by any means possible. Aside from mainstream medicine and surgery, there are many other therapies and lifestyle changes that claim to help prevent and treat prostate cancer. These interventions include complementary and alternative therapies. A US organisation called the National Cancer Institute have recently published extremely useful summaries of the scientific evidence surrounding many different complementary and alternative therapies for patients.

The MRI-FIRST study demonstrates the benefit of combined biopsy techniques

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 04:44:00 GMT

MRI has improved the way prostate cancer is diagnosed. Many men now have an MRI scan before their biopsy to detect prostate cancer. MRI can be used to do a targeted biopsy, where the biopsy needles aim for the area where tumours appear on the scan. There has been much debate over whether targeted biopsies can replace the older, systematic biopsy technique. The MRI-FIRST study has compared the two biopsy techniques head-to-head, showing that men would benefit from both types of biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis.

Pain relief for men with prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 05:15:00 GMT

Pain can be a big issue for men with prostate cancer. It can be both a symptom of the cancer and a side effect from its treatment. For men with metastatic prostate cancer, bone pain is often one of their most difficult problems. This week’s blog looks at the latest research behind pain management for men with prostate cancer.

Prostate tumour growth driven by onecut2

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 03:34:00 GMT

Some prostate cancers are more aggressive than others. They grow quickly, spread and become resistant to drugs. Developing better treatments for aggressive prostate cancers is a major research priority. Results have been published from a new study indicating an alternative to hormone signalling may be driving the growth of some aggressive prostate cancers. This study has uncovered a new way to target prostate cancer, aside from drugs that suppress testosterone.

Is CyberKnife better than the current standard treatments for localised prostate cancer?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 03:27:00 GMT

Men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer often look to the newest technology for their treatment. It can be surprising to find that the latest, most technologically advanced treatments are not necessarily recommended by their specialists. This happens because it takes a long time for reliable evidence to be generated, to be sure of the success rates and side effects from the latest technologies. This week’s blog examines the success and side effects of CyberKnife, a new radiation treatment system.

Which scans are best for men with recurrent prostate cancer?

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 05:10:00 GMT

It’s unfortunate that prostate surgery does not always mean the end of prostate cancer. Rising PSA levels after surgery mean that the cancer is probably on the way back. Some men with recurrent prostate cancer can be effectively cured by radiotherapy directed to the prostate bed. But those whose disease has spread beyond this area would do better to have more extensive treatment. A new Australian study has compared three different types of scan to ask which is best at directing treatment decisions for men with rising PSA after surgery.

Australian study validates a biomarker to predict the success of chemotherapy

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:06:00 GMT

Chemotherapy can be a good treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. But it doesn’t work for everyone. Unfortunately it takes months of treatment before the success of chemotherapy can be determined. Researchers are trying to find a good blood test biomarker as an early indicator of chemotherapy success. Major progress in this search has recently been made by Australian researchers.

Ductal prostate cancer: a rare form of prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 04:52:00 GMT

Ductal prostate cancer is a rare type of prostate cancer. Men diagnosed with ductal prostate cancer are more likely to see their cancer spread and more likely to die from it. This week’s research blog investigates what is known about ductal prostate cancer and how it’s best treated.

Why do men drop out of active surveillance?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 03:18:00 GMT

Active surveillance is a common management for low-risk, localised prostate cancer in Australia. The aim is to avoid or delay treatment until it becomes necessary. Unfortunately, guidelines vary greatly for who should go on active surveillance and what tests they should have. The Movember Foundation’s GAP3 program aims to create a global consensus on selection and monitoring of men with low-risk prostate cancer. As part of this project, the GAP3 research team have recently published a study examining the reasons why men drop out of active surveillance.

Radiotherapy for men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 03:03:00 GMT

Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer that has already spread are usually treated with hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Treatment of the tumour at the prostate site is uncommon. But recent evidence indicates that treating the prostate tumour can be helpful. A new study has demonstrated that treating the prostate tumour with radiotherapy can improve survival times, but only for men whose tumours have not spread too far.

The US patent for Abiraterone (Zytiga) has been declared invalid

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 00:12:00 GMT

A key US patent for the use of Abiraterone (Zytiga) for treating metastatic prostate cancer has been ruled invalid by a US court. This could lead to cheaper versions of Abiraterone becoming available in the US. This sounds like great news for US patients. This week’s blog explores the pharmaceutical industry behind prostate cancer drugs and what this new development means for Australian patients.

Prostate cancer survivorship research in Australia

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 04:01:00 GMT

Advances in medicine, together with early detection, are helping men to survive prostate cancer and live longer after diagnosis. But living longer is not the same as living well. Long-term survivors of prostate cancer may suffer from ongoing health issues and have unmet needs in psychological and sexual support. There are numerous programs that propose to help prostate cancer survivors – but do they work? Australian researchers have reviewed the evidence behind prostate cancer survivorship programs.

Best treatments for locally advanced prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 02:37:00 GMT

If a man is diagnosed with locally advanced prostate cancer he has high-risk prostate cancer. Locally advanced refers to tumours that have pushed outside of the prostate gland to nearby regions. Men with this stage of prostate cancer have a number of treatment options to give them the best chance of surviving this disease. A recent clinical trial has compared the success and side effects of different treatments for locally advanced prostate cancer.

Does Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) increase the dementia risk?

35bnwj6y182f1 — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 06:16:00 GMT

More than half of men diagnosed with prostate cancer may receive ADT treatment. This treatment is efficient in decreasing male hormone levels which in turn slows tumour growth. There are established side effects of ADT but the impact of ADT on the brain function has not been established. What we do know is that male hormones (androgens) play a critical role in neuron maintenance and growth. Hence, decreasing androgen levels for extended periods of time could have a major impact on the normal function of the brain.

Why cancer cells go to sleep

PCFA_Admin — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 21:00:00 GMT

Proton therapy is coming to Australia.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 21:00:00 GMT

Men with localised prostate cancer often choose radiotherapy to treat their disease. Recent advances in radiotherapy technology are helping to improve treatments and reduce side effects. Australian men have access to cutting-edge radiotherapy technologies for their treatment. But there is one therapy that has not yet been possible in Australia - proton therapy. A new proton therapy treatment centre is now being built in Adelaide. Will proton therapy revolutionise prostate cancer treatments in Australia?

Early supper associated with lower risk of breast and prostate cancer

PCFA_Admin — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 01:43:00 GMT

People who have their evening meal before 9 p.m. or wait at least two hours before going to sleep have lower risk of prostate cancer.

Does hormone therapy make prostate cancer worse?

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 00:37:00 GMT

Recent news articles have reported that “Hormone therapy can make prostate cancer worse”. They refer to a new study that asked how hormone therapy can change prostate cancer, making it more aggressive and likely to spread. Is it time to throw away the hormone therapy drugs? No it’s not. But this new study sheds some light on how these changes occur and takes us closer to a test that will help determine who is at risk.

A hydrogel spacer can improve bowel symptoms from prostate radiotherapy.

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 00:55:00 GMT

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for localised prostate cancer. Advances in radiotherapy techniques aim to increase the dose of radiation given to the prostate area, whilst reducing side effects from the treatment. One possible side effect from prostate radiotherapy is bowel problems. Promising new clinical trial data indicate that injection of a hydrogel spacer can reduce the bowel side effects caused by radiotherapy.

Comparing robotic-assisted to open prostate surgery: 2-year outcomes

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 21:00:00 GMT

Two years ago, a landmark Australian study of prostate surgery was published in a top journal. Conducted in Queensland, this randomised controlled trial compared the two main types of prostate surgery. Twelve weeks after surgery, there were no obvious differences between the sexual side effects, urinary side effects and success in treating in treating the cancer. At the time, many considered that 12 weeks was not enough time to see any difference. The 2-year results now are in!

Highlights from APCC 2018

Wendy_Winnall — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 03:40:00 GMT

APCC 2018 consisted of three streams of sessions. The clinical urology stream held talks and panels by clinicians specialising in prostate cancer. Sessions included discussions on active surveillance, MRI scans, robotic-assisted prostate surgery, metastatic disease, precision medicine and PET-PSMA scans. The nursing and allied health talks featured sessions about exercise medicine, sexual health, radiotherapy, incontinence and rural nursing. The translational science sessions focussed on bone metastasis studies, hormone-targeted therapies, genetic tests and genome sequencing.

Can a biopsy spread prostate cancer?

Wendy_Winnall — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:23:00 GMT

Prostate cancer is diagnosed by biopsy. Samples of the tumour are removed by needles during the biopsy procedure and analysed in a pathology laboratory. There are anecdotal reports that some men avoid prostate biopsies due to fear that the procedure will spread the cancer. This week's blog asks what is the risk that a biopsy could spread prostate cancer.

Exercising in the real world

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 21:00:00 GMT

Exercise has many benefits for men with prostate cancer who are taking hormone therapy. Some clinics offer exercise programs to these men. Supervised exercise programs are a safe and structured environment to promote exercise. But what happens when the program is over, and men are "kicked out into the real world"?

Australian researchers develop a tumour growth method to test new drugs for prostate cancer

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 05:35:00 GMT

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is the most dangerous form of this disease. Although there are some treatments, these cancers inevitably becomes resistant to the latest drugs and resume growth. Significant progress in finding new drugs for this stage of prostate cancer has been made by Australian researchers. They have developed a method to test new drugs on tumours grown in the laboratory, and their early results show that inhibiting protein production can slow tumour growth.

Australian men with prostate cancer at increased risk of suicide

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 06:46:00 GMT

These days more men are surviving prostate cancer, and they are living for longer after diagnosis than in previous decades. But survival rates do not tell the whole story. Living longer is not the same as living well. New Australian research has shown that men with prostate cancer are at higher risk of suicide than their counterparts who don't have the disease. The psychological needs of all men with prostate cancer require consideration and access to support as an important part of disease management.

Clinical trials indicate the benefit of SABR for men with oligometastatic prostate cancer.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 22:00:00 GMT

Prostate cancer sometimes comes back after surgery or radiotherapy treatment. Men whose scans show that a few small tumours have spread are considered to have oligometastatic prostate cancer. Determining the best treatments for these men is an important research topic at the moment. Two recently published clinical trials have indicated that a radiation-based treatment called SABR can benefit men at this early stage of metastatic prostate cancer.

Putting people first: the 2018 ANZUP annual scientific meeting.

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 05:34:00 GMT

ANZUP is an organisation that promotes research and clinical trials for cancers such as prostate cancer. The 2018 ANZUP meeting brought together national and international experts to discuss the latest innovations and issues in research and clinical practice. This week's research blog describes some of the meeting highlights for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer in Indigenous Australian men

Wendy_Winnall — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 21:00:00 GMT

Indigenous Australians unfortunately have poorer health on average, and have poorer access to health care than non-Indigenous Australians. The experiences of Indigenous Australians with prostate cancer are not well understood due to a lack of research in the past. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have recently released an important update on the rates of prostate cancer diagnoses and mortality for Indigenous Australians. This is an important starting point in the challenge to improve prostate cancer care for Indigenous Australians.