The connection between a man’s genes and his risk of developing prostate cancer is well established, but not well understood. You, Your Genes & Your Genomics.

Theranostics explained. Join panelists Telix Director of Commercial Operations ANZ Samantha McSherry, Telix Chief Medical Officer for the Asia Pacific region Dr. Danielle Meyrick with PCFA Manager, Nursing Programs Russell Briggs as they discuss Theranostics and prostate cancer.

This information has been produced for a health professional audience and is not intended for a general audience and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The information provided in this video is based on all available medical and scientific evidence at the date of recording.

For prostate cancer information and support, please call 1800 22 00 99, visit www.pcfa.org.au, or email enquiries@pcfa.org.au.

Couldn’t join us for PCFA’s first 2022 webinar? You can watch it back here!

This was the first in an ongoing series of Consumer Advocacy Discussion Forums for men and families facing prostate cancer.

Your Guide to Prostate Cancer: The disease, treatment options and outcomes (4th edition), provides an in-depth, yet simple to follow guide on prostate cancer, highlighting treatment options through the various stages, and providing relevant information to help improve quality of life.

To purchase a copy of the book call PCFA on 1800 22 00 99 or email enquiries@pcfa.org.au 

( To receive your free prostate cancer information kit and talk through your options, connect with a PCFA Prostate cancer Specialist Telenurse today on 1800 22 00 99 ) www.pcfa.org.au 

Prostate Cancer & Active Surveillance: Quality of life following a diagnosis.

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

Active Surveillance is increasingly being recommended as a management option for low-risk prostate cancer, 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.

Professor Declan Murphy from the Peter McCallum Centre in Melbourne and Ian Henderson a PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse from the Royal Hobart Hospital discusses Active Surveillance as a management option for men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer.

For further information and support see links below to support and resources:

Understanding Active Surveillance: https://www.pcfa.org.au/awareness/general-information/understanding-active-surveillance/ 

Resource Booklet - Understanding Active Surveillance: https://www.pcfa.org.au/media/790753/pcf13460_01_understanding_active_surveillance_20_pg_booklet_a5_... 

PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Telenurse Service: 1800 22 00 99 https://www.pcfa.org.au/prostate-cancer-specialist-telenursing-service/

Phone: 1800 22 00 99

Web: www.pcfa.org.au

Senator Jim Molan is no stranger to the battlefield. The retired major general has proudly served his country for 40 years. But throughout the last six months, the 71-year-old has been in combat with a new enemy - an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis.

You can view Jim's story on A Current Affair via the channel NINE website here:

https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/senator-jim-molan-retired-major-general-opens-up-about-lat... 

Functional urology education webinar from the PCFA Affiliated Shine a Light Prostate Cancer Support Group in Sydney. Professor Vincent Tse, Functional Urologist (Sydney, Australia) speaks about treatment options for those with urination troubles following prostatectomy and radiation for prostate cancer. A panel discussion follows with people who have had lived experience with a sling and artificial urinary sphincter.

Tim was diagnosed at 41. Here is his story.

Radiation Oncologist Dr Joseph Bucci and Urologist Dr David Malouf discuss the advances in LDR Brachytherapy treatment and what you need to consider to feel confident in your treatment choice.

This educational webinar was sponsored by BXTA.

Visit www.BXTA.com for more information.

PCFA Educational Webinar: The link between Exercise Physiology and Prostate Cancer

(Tuesday 27th July 2021)

Can exercise really help after a prostate cancer diagnosis? Research has found that exercise not only has physical benefits for men with prostate cancer and treatment-related symptoms, but it also helps to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Professor Daniel Galvão joined us for an educational webinar, providing an in-depth look at how the use of exercise physiology can aid with prostate cancer management from Androgen Deprivation Therapy side effects to managing fatigue.

As the Exercise Science and Director at the Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Professor Galvão’s research programs focus on applications of exercise as medicine for the prevention and management of cancer treatment side effects and survival.

His research has received funding from NHMRC, Cancer Australia, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, has been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, European Urology, and Nature Reviews Urology. He has also co-authored the Exercise and Sports Science Australia position stand in exercise and cancer (2009) and the American College of Sports Medicine’s exercise guidelines for cancer survivors (2010).

During the webinar, Professor Galvão covers:

- Exercise timing and function at the onset of Androgen Deprivation Therapy

- Different modes of exercise during radiation that impact on fatigue

- Individual patient response to resistance-based exercise during Androgen Deprivation Therapy

- Weight loss (exercise/nutrition) program prior to prostatectomy

- Exercise and nutrition intervention in men treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy

- Exercise dosage in men with prostate cancer

- Pre-clinical study on exercise during radiation therapy in prostate cancer

To access further resources and support contact PCFA on 1800 22 00 99

Newly diagnosed? or need to find more information - Access the PCFA resources here

If you would like to find an accredited exercise professional near you, please use the ESSA search function located here: https://www.essa.org.au/Public/find-aep.aspx 

Urinary incontinence, or leakage, is to be expected after prostate surgery. It may be a mild problem, needing pads to manage it for only a few weeks, or more severe and requiring protective pads for up to a year. The pelvic floor muscles control the bladder and flow of urine. Exercising them effectively will help men regain bladder control earlier. Ideally, the exercises are started before surgery, but they can also help bladder control if started after surgery.

Check out the video below of Thomas Harris a Men's Health Physiotherapist discussing the importance of the male pelvic floor along with an introduction to a pelvic floor muscle routine. Attached to this post is a PDF downloadable file of the APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association) and PCFA resources booklet "Physiotherapy before and after prostate cancer surgery".

For more information on finding your local continence physiotherapist contact the PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Telenurse Team on 1800 22 00 99.

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we at PCFA dared to try something different - Live broadcast an Ask The Experts Webcast. With travel restrictions and lockdowns all over the country, we still managed to bring together experts and delivered an educational webcast on Urinary Challenges in Prostate Cancer.

As we commence World Continence Week 2021 (21-27 June) I thought I would inform the community of a great initiative - Bins4Blokes. BINS4Blokes is an Australia-wide awareness and advocacy campaign promoting the installation of incontinence bins in male public toilet facilities.

Help is available:

For a free confidential chat about your concerns with incontinence or a chat about your prostate cancer experience - Call our Prostate Cancer Specialist Telenurse service on 1800 22 00 99 (Mon-Fri 9-5 pm AEDT or Wed 9-10 pm)

To access the PCFA Resource - "Understanding Urinary and Bowel Issues" CLICK HERE

Last month the PCFA launched the STARGATE project. STARGATE aims to improve prostate cancer awareness by providing information on the burden of disease at a regional level, nationwide.

You can search by postcode or area name for factsheets of specific Australian regions and share these with your friends, family, and workmates to help improve community understanding and save lives.

The data includes diagnoses, deaths, and prostate cancer stage at diagnosis, unlocking information that has not previously been shared in this way with the community.

www.STARGATE.org.au 

During this live and interactive webinar, Dr Gillman provides realistic expectations and up-to-date pharmaceutical information surrounding management of sexual side effects of prostate cancer treatment.

PCFA is proud to have a national network of affiliated support groups in each state and territory of Australia consisting of men and women who have a passion for assisting others who encounter prostate cancer. This network is made up of over 170 affiliated groups who meet locally to provide one to one support, giving a vision of life and hope after treatment.

Men's Health Physiotherapist Thomas Harris of Target Physiotherapy Brisbane discussing the anatomy, functionality, and importance of pelvic floor exercises for men affected by prostate cancer.

Prof Rob Newton - Exercise as medicine with prostate cancer (Virtual Community Conversations 2020)

Mr Ben Challacombe - Prehabilitation for prostatectomy (Virtual Community Conversations 2020)

Mr David Shillington - Positive mental health & wellbeing (Virtual Community Conversations 2020)

Prof Daniel Galvao-Exercise across prostate cancer trajectory (Virtual Community Conversations 2020)

Mr Ross Campbell - A survivors experience of exercise (Virtual Community Conversations 2020)

Prostate Cancer Support Group Education Webinar: Focal Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer - is it right for me?

Join the experts as they educate prostate cancer patients on this new treatment option which uses MRI to identify prostate cancer, and targeted radiotherapy to treat only the tumour, instead of the whole prostate, to keep side effects to a bare minimum.

Professor Dunn is one of Australia’s longest-serving cancer charity CEOs and a recognised World Cancer Leader and has been voted President-Elect of the Inion for International Cancer Control (UICC).

The final webcast in this series - Prostate Cancer Survivorship: The Long Run.

For the first time, we have brought together experts from New York, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth to talk about the challenges of prostate cancer survivorship.

We’re calling it out – men impacted by prostate cancer face specific challenges that are seldom addressed in mainstream health care delivery.

Our latest research pinpoints seven priority actions as a practical platform for change. Proudly presented by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia with thanks to the support of Astellas.

PSA Guidelines: A summary of the PSA Guidelines for the Prostate Cancer Support Group Network.

PCFA developed the guidelines in order to resolve the controversy surrounding PSA testing for both men and their doctors. The guidelines do not recommend a population screening program for prostate cancer as the evidence does not support such a program. For men who decide to be tested, it contains guidance on matters such as what age to start testing; how frequently to be tested; when to stop testing; the PSA level which should prompt further investigation; family history; and the role of the digital rectal exam.

A copy of the PSA Guidelines endorsed by the NHMRC can be found on the PCFA website:

https://pcfa.org.au/awareness/for-healthcare-professionals/clinical-practice-guidelines-on-psa-testi...