Prostate Cancer

Cancer is commonly defined as the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. When cells become aged or damaged, they are replaced with new cells. Sometimes the genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or altered, producing mutations that negatively affect cell growth and division. Prostate cancer may be slow growing, or it may be aggressive. When confined within the prostate or another organ, cancer is known to be “localized” or “organ-confined”. When cancer cells spread throughout the body (metastasize) via blood and lymph systems, they can become life threatening.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer diagnosed in North American men, typically in men over the age of 50. In its early stages, prostate cancer has no symptoms, which is why it’s important for men to have regular medical checkups. If diagnosed early, prostate cancer is often curable. Treatment can eliminate symptoms and prolong life expectancy.

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Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for prostate cancer, some modifiable, others not. These include:

  • Age – Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men over the age of 50.
  • Family History – Research shows an increased risk for prostate cancer in sons, brothers and fathers of men with the disease.
  • Genetics – Inherited gene changes may increase prostate cancer risk.
  • Diet – High fat, high calcium and high red meat diets may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
  • Ethnicity – Studies have shown that prostate cancer is more common in men of African ethnicity.

For more information about the prostate, visit the Prostate Cancer Canada website.

APCaRI is part of the Movember Prostate Cancer Outcomes network

The Prostate Cancer Outcomes Global Initiative to Compare and Reduce Variation is a project led by Movember aiming to improve health outcomes for men throughout their prostate cancer journey by focusing on variation in care and engaging clinicians and researchers across 14 countries worldwide.

The international team will collect data from prostate cancer patients segmented into the categories of data items as outlined by the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM). These include patient factors, baseline tumor factors, pathological information, treatment variables, acute complications of treatment, and survival and disease control).

The Alberta Prostate Cancer dataset is highly aligned with the ICHOM standards. This means that we can effectively compare treatments and outcomes in Alberta with teams around the world to find ways to improve our care at home and abroad!

This is the result of hours of planning and true team work lead by Dr. Trafford Crump, the APCaRI Scientific and Data Quality Committee, and the APCaRI clinical, scientific, research and pathology teams. Thanks to your efforts, we are one step closer to improving patient outcomes.

- John Lewis