Below are some links to news stories, fund-raising events, latest medical developments in the treatment of prostate cancer and much more:
16/10/2023 – Variable Radiotherapy
“We are pleased about recent announcements about prostate cancer variable radiotherapy which has less side effects like impotence and the need to have hormone replacement therapy treatment.” – PCW &UK
Men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer could be safely given far less radiotherapy, a major trial has found.
Doses can be cut by three-quarters meaning five higher doses is enough, instead of the 20 or so given now.
The international trial involved nearly 900 men with medium-risk prostate cancer that had not spread.
Lead researcher Prof Nicholas van As from the Royal Marsden Hospital said the results were “outstanding” and “fantastic” for patients.
Prostate Cancer UK said the finding had the potential to save time and money for the NHS, while still giving men the best outcomes.
14/11/2022 – Learning From The Masters
The Imperial Prostate masterclass on Focal Therapy took place last week at Imperial College – refreshingly for the first time in person since 2019, and returning bigger and better.
The faculty – both resident and visiting – is undeniably a collective of world leaders and pioneers in imaging and focal treatments for prostate cancer.
TFTC Consultant Urologist Raj Nigam presented a session on MR/US fusion biopsies of the prostate, with an emphasis on the critical role that clear, detailed radiological reporting plays in successful precision biopsying. Raj was supported by TFTC radiological consultant Dr Clare Allen in demonstrating how state-of-the-art contouring of a patient’s MR imaging provides the essential roadmap for precision biopsying of the prostate.
2/12/2019 – Prostate cancer: AI pathologist used to help diagnosis
Artificial intelligence could improve cancer diagnosis and help save lives, a senior doctor has claimed. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has rolled out an “AI pathologist” to help test men for prostate cancer.
The software uses algorithms to detect cancer, and is the first to be used within a clinical setting in the UK. Of 105 patients tested in north Wales so far, it has correctly diagnosed every one. Researchers are seeing if they can use a similar technique to diagnose breast cancer.
24/12/19 – FDA Approves New Drug
December 16, 2019 – Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new use for enzalutamide (Xtandi®) for the treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive (aka, “castration-sensitive”) prostate cancer (mHSPC). Enzalutamide has previously been FDA-approved for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC).
PCF funded the initial synthesis of enzalutamide at UCLA by chemist Michael Jung, PhD, in collaboration with prostate cancer physician-scientist Charles Sawyers, MD (now at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center).
mHSPC refers to men whose prostate cancer has spread to areas of the body outside of the prostate itself, and who are responsive to testosterone-lowering agents. This may refer to men who have had prior surgery or radiation and recurred, or men who were initially diagnosed with disease that was already metastatic (outside the prostate). Patients who are “hormone-sensitive” may have previously received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for a certain amount of time, but their cancer has not yet developed resistance to ADT.
19/6/2018 – Wales ‘behind’ in technology to detect prostate cancer
A father-of-four who survived prostate cancer has said he is “fortunate” to be alive after an MRI scan spotted the disease before it developed. Sion Brynach, from Cardiff, is now calling for more men to get access to a pre-biopsy scan to give them more of a chance at life.
It comes as a new report shows Wales is lagging behind in access to mpMRI scans – which can detect the disease better. The Welsh Government said the use of mpMRI was under review.
The Multiparametic MRI (mpMRI) scan, which is done before a biopsy, is able to boost detection of prostate cancer. In England, an NHS trial is under way to cut prostate cancer diagnosis times from six weeks to a matter of days using the scan. But in Wales only three out of seven Welsh health boards provide the scan, as it is not currently recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).
19/2/18 – BBC Radio Wales
Nick Phillips was talking on the Jason Mohammed show about cancer waiting times from diagnosis to treatment.
30/1/18 – GTFM Pontypridd
Nick Phillips appeared on the local valleys radio show talking about Prostate Cancer, and the campaign he is running about the need to get checked.
17/9/16 – Charity Gig – ‘The Poptarts’
The Rose and Crown pub, Pontypridd are hosting a charity night to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. Please contact us for more details.
29/7/16 to 11/8/16 – Wales Trails
Welsh writer Dave Lewis is cycling 600+ miles around Wales this summer to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. You can follow his progress and help support him by visiting his JustGiving page.
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