Prostate Cancer Support Canada - Halifax

12/06/2025

From the ADT Educational Program:

Upcoming online classes for the Life On Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) Educational Program.

The next online classes will be held on January 14, February 9, and March 11, 2026, all at 3:00 PM Pacific time/ 6:00 PM Eastern time. If you know anyone who you feel would be interested in sharing this program with patients, please let us know so we can add them to our mailing list.

The online ADT Educational Program is a free resource to help patients manage ADT side effects and engage in healthy lifestyle behaviours (e.g., physical activity). The program provides support to both prostate cancer patients and their partners or loved ones.

Classes are offered monthly; patients are asked to register ahead of time at www.LifeOnADT.com. The class is a one-time, live (90 min.), facilitated webinar. After attending, Canadian patients are mailed a free copy of the ADT book (linked below).

https://www.springerpub.com/androgen-deprivation-therapy-9780826184023.html

In 2019, we published research data showing that the ADT Educational Program—i.e., the class plus the book — can significantly raise patients’ self-efficacy in managing ADT side effects. However, it is most effective if taken early, before patients are overwhelmed by those side effects.

Questions can be directed to Carly Sears at LifeOnADT@gmail.com.

12/04/2025

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada (PCFC) has launched its Holiday Season Campaign—an important annual fundraiser that supports early detection, support programs, education, advocacy, innovative research, and improved care for men and families affected by prostate cancer.

This year, PCFC has set an ambitious goal: $200,000. And thanks to generous matching partners, every donation will be tripled—so your contribution will go three times as far in supporting life-changing work.

On the campaign page, you can also read inspirational stories from patients, families, and supporters who have been touched by prostate cancer.

👉 If you’re able, please consider donating here:
www.prostatecanada.ca/xmas2025

Every contribution—big or small—helps strengthen the programs and resources that so many of us rely on. Together, we can reach this goal and bring hope to men and families across Canada this holiday season.

Thank you so much for considering, and I wish you and your loved ones a warm, healthy, and happy holiday season.
With gratitude,
Richard MacFarlane
Chair, PCFC Halifax Support Group

Providing leadership & resources in prostate cancer support, awareness, & research since 1997. Now proudly supporting patients and loved ones across Canada.

11/01/2025

[cleared by Admin]
"Hello,

My name is Ben, and I am a research assistant with the Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta.

We are conducting a research study titled Rehabilitation and Exercise in Advanced Cancer Health (REACH) that aims to understand the experiences of individuals living with advanced cancer, as well as their needs related to rehabilitation and exercise support. We are seeking individuals in Canada diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer to participate in an anonymous online survey, which is offered in both English and French. The study has been approved by the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta (Ethics ID: HREBA CC-24-012).

We would greatly appreciate it if you could share the study information within your networks. I have attached the study posters and materials. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to the study lead, Dr. Shirin Shallwani (sshallwa@ualberta.ca). I appreciate your consideration.

Thanks,

Ben Spilak, MMgmt, BSc | he/him
Medical Student
University of Alberta, 2029
benspilak7@gmail.com | spilak@ualberta.ca
----------------
Researchers at the University of Alberta are seeking adults with advanced or metastatic cancer to participate in the Rehabilitation and Exercise for Advanced Cancer Health (REACH) study. The goal of the REACH Study is to learn about your experiences of living with cancer and to better understand your needs related to rehabilitation and exercise support.

Who can participate?
- Adults (18+ years) living in Canada
- Diagnosed with any type of advanced, recurrent, relapsed, or metastatic (stage 4) cancer
- Able to complete a 15-20 minute survey in English or French

Please access the survey at the following link: https://redcap.link/wudq5f7d

09/06/2025

And the next one is Wed Sept 24th, 7pm Halifax time.

Join Our GBTQ Nationwide Support group meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 27th, 2025 at 3pm PST. We welcome you to join us in a safe, supportive space to share, learn, and connect.

Register for the event:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUscuGtpz4qGdaE4YPqZ0DpKTdPGrK3bA75 #/registration

09/06/2025

Sept 9th, especially for Black men.

Welcome to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month!

We’re kicking off September with a wonderful lineup of speakers, including Dr. Joy Olotu, a professor and passionate advocate for men’s health, raising awareness about prostate cancer in Canada’s Black immigrant community on September 9th, 2025.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and support the cause!

Register for this event:
https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/w4rN4HJSRvi7QcYPep2QsQ

Explore and register for all September events:
https://www.lightupinblue.ca/

07/16/2025

We received the following request:-

"The Exercise Oncology Lab at the University of Toronto, led by Dr. Linda Trinh, is offering an exciting research study opportunity for adult prostate cancer survivors.
This study aims to test the feasibility of an 8-week resistance training program to help improve treatment-related side effects including cognitive function, physical function, and fatigue.
The study is conducted virtually, allowing participants to take part from the comfort of their own homes without any in-person visits.

We are currently seeking prostate cancer survivors across Canada who have a history of androgen deprivation therapy to participate in this study.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 416-946-5856 or via email at s.orourke@mail.utoronto.ca."

Sarah O'Rourke
MSc. Student | Exercise Oncology Lab
Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education | University of Toronto

04/19/2025

We have all been invited to the film screening premiere of “Empower”, a documentary of the Patient Empowerment Programs (PEP) developed by Gabriela Ilie, and Oncologist, Rob Rutledge.
This documentary also features PEP graduates Melanie Smith and John Underhill, CD, KC.
Following the documentary, there will be a panel discussion with remarkable cancer survivors and program participants.

Sunday, May 4
7 p.m. ADT (6 p.m. ET ) in person or via live streaming
Joseph Strug Concert Hall
1385 Seymour St, Halifax, NS B3H 1W8

[click on the following link to learn more about the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program: https://pcpep.org/]

We invite you to join us for the film screening premiere of “Empower”, a documentary of the Patient Empowerment Programs (PEP) developed by Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine Endowed Soillse Scientist in Cancer Quality of Life Research, Gabriela Ilie, and Oncologist, Rob Rutledge. This doc...

03/30/2025

Richard Wassersug is the author of the book "ADT - An Essential Guide for Prostate Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones".
He is currently researching the topic of "Alternative Forms of ADT" and he has asked if we can encourage you to complete his survey.

"We invite you to participate in a research study on:

Patients' Interest in Alternative Forms of Androgen
Deprivation Therapy for Treating Prostate Cancer

We are interested in understanding the beliefs and opinions of men who have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer (PCa) about Alternative Forms of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), regardless of whether they have ever been on ADT. In this anonymous study, you will be presented with information and questions about various options for ADT. Your responses will be kept completely confidential.��
The study should take you about 10 minutes to complete. You will receive no compensation for your participation.�� Your participation in this research is voluntary and you have the right to withdraw at any point during the study.
The Principal Investigator of this study is Richard Wassersug, PhD.� You may contact him with any questions at: richard.wassersug@ubc.ca.

- We are interested in your opinions about the side effects of ADT even if you have never been on, nor expect to be on, ADT.

- Your responses may help millions of men worldwide with prostate cancer!

Click below, then click on "I Consent"...

Survey on Patients' Interest in Alternative Forms of Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Treating Prostate Cancer