Prostate Cancer Support Edmonton
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March 2023 Newsletter

Members
Again, please accept the Executives apologies for the short notice cancellation of the February meeting. We appreciate the understanding.

Scott Davis graciously agreed to speak to the membership in March after the February cancellation. Scott is an international businessman that has received PC treatment in the USA and in Canada. His experience in both countries and his depth of knowledge on the disease itself will enlighten any member in attendance. Scott Davis co-presented with Dr. Adam Kinnaird in November 2022. You can expect Scott to be an engaging speaker that speaks frankly to treatment modalities.

We will provide light snacks and drinks at the meeting. The meeting is being held March 14th, at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre (9629 176 St). Doors open at 6:30. Meeting call to order at 7:00pm.
 
As always, you are encouraged to bring along a friend or family member that may be facing a PC diagnosis. If you are aware of someone struggling with PC, let us know and we will try to help. 
 
If you have questions or suggestions before the meeting, call Terry.
 
Terry Kirkland
780 909-9960
 
National Council Activities:  www.prostatecancersupport.ca

Letter concerning PSMA-1007 PET scans

A letter recently sent to Jason Copping, Alberta Minister of Health
 
Dear Honourable Jason Copping;
As President of the Edmonton Prostate Peer Support Society, it has come to my attention that Alberta Health has curtailed funding to the UAH PSMA-10 7 project This project offers more precise imaging for detection of prostate cancer tumors and more precise delivery of radiation to the tumors. There are at least 60 prostate cancer patients in the queue for PSMA PET scans, which is now the standard of care imaging test in multiple prostate cancer guidelines.
Unfortunately, as a result of funding, AHS has not offered operational approval for this project after recruiting, enrolling and consenting patients had begun for an imaging test that has shown to change treatments today.
The trial will not start until specific funding is provided to Alberta Health Services Diagnostic. Apparently, at the provincial level, Director discussions lean toward organizational structural changes that will extend access to PET scans into the evenings and weekends. Although desirable, organizational changes are not expedient to implement. In the interim AHS Diagnostics Imaging intends to issue direction to referring physicians that PSMA PET scans will not be booked at UAH pending further funding/notice, despite this being against the patient’s best interest.
The delays this will cause to men waiting for these diagnostics will negatively impact their health outcomes. Just as early detection has proven to save health dollars, early treatment with more accurate information will yield the same significant savings.
Minister Copping, my plea to you is to ensure the diagnostics men have been led to believe they were to receive, are delivered on a timely basis. To do otherwise would be an agonizing delay for these patients.
Sincerely
Terry Kirkland

Email concerning PSMA-1007 PET scans

An email sent to Dr. Derek Emery, Chair, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry – Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging Dept.
 

Doctor Emery
As a brief introduction, I chair the Prostate Edmonton Peer Support Society.
I have been following the new PSMA PET imaging protocols being introduced to locate tumours within the prostate and in the case of planned external beam radiation treatment, the imaging used to precisely direct the radiation.
My understanding is there are over 60 men that have been recruited to participate in a clinical trial to prove the efficacy of these imaging protocols. Apparently, recent internal discussions are considering the extensions of imaging hours and will include Saturday. Certainly a laudable and apparently necessary undertaking. However institutional changes are not expediently achieved.
I understand that AHS DI will issue a communication notice to all referring physicians that PSMA PET scans will not be booked at UAH ending further funding/notice. If my information is correct, the planned changes will impact the timely availability of PSMA PET scans for those 60+ men on the requisition list.
As you know, anytime you are tagged with a cancer diagnosis, anxiety becomes a daily brain worm. If the PSMA Pet scans are curtailed or delayed, the men that have volunteered to participate in the clinical trials, will be devastated. As early detection saves AHS dollars, timely treatment will yield the same AHS dollars savings.
It is my hope that the 60+ recruits can complete the clinical trial process they were led to believe would assist in the treatment of their prostate cancer. To do, otherwise may put a chill on future clinical trial participants. It certainly will elevate the anxiety of the patients.
Thanks for your consideration on this matter.

Terry Kirkland

February 14th Meeting

You don’t want to miss the February 14th evening meeting. We recognize it is Valentine’s day and the importance of our “sweethearts” . Ensuring your “sweetheart  feels special just before or after Valentine’s day, may free up your Tuesday evening. 
 
Scott Davis, a very successful international business owner, will be our guest speaker.  Scott  has received PC treatment in Canada and the USA. Scott presented with Dr Adam Kinnaird in a recent webinar. Scott’s in depth PC treatment at home and in the USA gives him a knowledge layer that will educate and stimulate your PC understanding. Don’t miss Scott’s presentation at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre (9629 – 176 St  at 7:00 PM). Invite friends or family that may have been touched by PC.
 
The Executive strives to keep emails to a minimum.  Dr Tamm has requested the assistance of our membership to seek equitable treatment for men with prostate cancer.  We will provide details on how you can help. Watch for an email in the coming week explaining  how we can help Dr. Tamm and his colleagues meet their pursuit of fair treatment for men diagnosed or living with PC.

December Newsletter

Members

In keeping with the wishes expressed at the November 8th meeting, we will hold our monthly meeting at the “cafe” located at Westend Seniors Activity Centre (9629 – 176 St). Doors open at 6:30 meeting 7:00 PM.  Adjournment 9:00 PM.
 
We will provide light snacks and drinks at the meeting. We do not have a speaker scheduled for this meeting. The intention is to hold an open forum so members can share their PC experience or seek peer assistance with any treatment challenges they are facing.
 
As always, you are encouraged to bring along a friend or family member that may be facing a PC diagnosis. If you are aware of someone struggling with PC, let us know and we will try to help. 
 
If you have questions or suggestions before the meeting, call Terry.
 
Terry Kirkland
780 909-9960
 
National Council Activities:  www.prostatecancersupport.ca

Meeting Reminder

MembersA quick reminder of our monthly membership meeting will be held at the Westend  Seniors Activity Centre  Nov. 8th.  (9629 176 St). Doors open at 6:30. We could use a few members to set out about 40 chairs. 
It would be wonderful if we have a good attendance to honour Dr Tamm’s gracious offer to share his evening with us. Please invite any friend or family that you think might be interested.
Dr Tamm will present on  PSMA PET scans.  This is a new type of nuclear medicine used clinically to determine metastatic cancer in newly diagnosed PC patients and men that have been treated for their prostate cancer.
It would be great to see everyone one after a 2 year hiatus.  Tea, coffee, water and treats will be offered.
Thanks

Terry Kirkland

780 909-9960

November Newsletter

Members

November 8 we will host our second “in person” meeting this year. Hopefully this will be the start of our return to regular monthly meetings.
On November 8th, Dr, Alex Tamm has graciously offered to share his evening with the membership and present on PMSA PET Scans.  This is a new type of nuclear medicine used in 2 clinical scenarios: 1). in men with newly diagnosed  PC who are at risk for metastatic cancer and 2) men who have been treated for PC and now have suspected or recurrent disease. Many of us may require this diagnostic tool as we continue to live with PC.
The meeting will be held at the West Edmonton Seniors Centre ( 9629  176 ST) commencing at 7:00 PM. Easy access from 178 St via 98a Ave or 96 Ave) Canadian Tire is 2 blocks north on 178 St. Ideally if  members could arrive a few minutes early, we could use assistance to set out chairs, coffee, water. snacks. Besides, it would be good to see you all again. 
I am always grateful when one of our busy Edmonton  professionals shares their time and knowledge with the membership.  These exchanges are critical to advancing awareness and building teams. Please come out  and acknowledge Dr Tamm’s  selfless  offer to help us understand our PC journeys.
Of course we welcome you to bring along a guest that might find interest in the topic.
Terry Kirkland780 909-9960

October Newsleter

No meeting in October

Our 2 options for meeting, the Kaye Clinic and Wellspring, still have COVID restrictions in place. The Kaye Clinic is not allowing gatherings at their facility. Wellspring requires masking which we can work with. However they have COVID social distancing in place which reduces the capacity of the meeting room to 22 attendees. This puts us in an awkward position of potentially  turning members away if more than 22 members attend. Consequently we will not hold a general meeting in October.
 
Dr. Alex Tamm has tentatively agreed to present at our November meeting. We will proceed with this meeting if it means renting a venue elsewhere.
 
Sadly I learned today that Gary Firth passed away on Thursday Sept.29th with his family by his side. Members will remember Gary as a presenter at one of the meetings on his clinical trial.  Gary was also one of the originals on the True North Clinical exercise trial. A celebration of Life will be held at the Sturgeon Golf and Country Club Friday afternoon Oct 7.
 
Take time to explore our new website. www.pepss.ca. I think you will be impressed.

If you are aware of an acquaintance, friend or family member that is living with PC, encourage them to reach out and chat with a member that has received treatment. A trouble shared is a trouble halved.
Terry Kirkland
780 909-9960

Talk to a member that has received prostate cancer treatment

You may not want to ask questions at a group meeting. You may want to speak with someone having the same issues. You may want to talk with someone who has gone through the same treatment you are considering. Or after treatment, you may be dealing with complications.