Resources for patients with prostate cancer in Alberta

APCaRI > Prostate Cancer > Resources for patients with prostate cancer in Alberta

Clinical Services

Urology Clinics

Currently, most new Alberta prostate cancer patients are seen within two urology clinics: The Alberta Urology Institute in Edmonton and the Prostate Cancer Centre in Calgary.

  • The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Urology Centre (KUC) currently has 13 urologists in Edmonton representing both academic and clinical interests and is the only Urology Residency Training Program in Alberta. At KUC, patients are provided comprehensive care for prostate health and prostate cancer including diagnosis, treatment, and research services to all men within Northern Alberta.

  • The Prostate Cancer Centre is located within the Southern Alberta Institute of Urology (SAIU) that houses all 16 urologists in Calgary. The SAIU provides a comprehensive range of urological services. The Prostate Cancer Centre provides comprehensive care to men in southern Alberta across the disease continuum including early consultation and rapid access to diagnostic testing, awareness, diagnosis, and education about treatment options and also conducts scientific and clinical research.

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Over 90% of new prostate cancer patients in Alberta are seen in the two urology clinics and both of them house their own research centres and run a number of clinical trials to better serve prostate cancer patients. Many of these urologists are active members of APCaRI and are working collaboratively to execute the initiative’s strategic plan and research projects and programs including collection of clinical information along with tissue, blood, urine and semen specimens as part of the APCaRI Alberta Prostate Registry and BioRepository.

Cancer Centres

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The Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary and the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton offer:

  • Patient navigation and tumour triage coordination
  • Diagnostic services
  • Treatment for prostate cancer
  • Supportive care for patients
  • Laboratory services
  • Nutritional, exercise, quality of life, orientation, and spiritual care programs
  • …. and more

Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Calgary offers:

  • Outpatient clinic

Click here to see a detailed list of cancer centres across Alberta. Associate Cancer Centres provide patient navigation, treatment for prostate cancer (Systemic plus Radiation for Lethbridge and Red Deer; Systemic only for Medicine Hat and Grande Prairie), diagnostic services, laboratory services:

 

Support groups

Support groups in Alberta support men and their families on the journey with prostate cancer by increasing awareness of the disease and by offering help one-on-one or through support groups. To know more……

Links to internet resources

Prostate Cancer Canada also offers a series of resources and information.

 

Lifestyle Management

TrueNTH Lifestyle Management gives men access to physical activity and yoga programs in Alberta  lifestyle.truenth.ca

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The TrueNTH (pronounced True North) Lifestyle Management (LM) Program is part of the Global TrueNTH network funded by Movember (in partnership with Prostate Cancer Canada nationally). TrueNTH LM aims to improve the survivorship experience for men living with prostate cancer through physical activity, nutrition, and stress-reduction resources (programs and educational materials).

TrueNTH LM includes a free 12-week physical activity and yoga program with classes designed specifically to address the health and treatment related concerns for men living with prostate cancer. Men can also access a comprehensive online portal with tools, education, and home-based programming for help with staying active, reducing stress, and maintaining a proper diet.

In Calgary, TrueNTH LM has partnered with City of Calgary Recreation to offer programs at four different locations throughout the city. Registration is ongoing for men. In Edmonton, the Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic at the University of Alberta will be hosting a TrueNTH LM program starting in January 2016. Future programs will be announced as they become available. Men living in rural Alberta are able to join an online-based program at lifestyle.truenth.ca.

All men who have been previously diagnosed with prostate cancer regardless of when they were diagnosed or what treatment they received can join the TrueNTH LM online portal or join a community program. Each person will undergo an initial health screening to ensure physical activity is safe.

For more information or to register, phone the Health and Wellness Lab in Calgary at 403-210-8482.

Letter for participants

 

Quick Links

The Bird Dogs: Pointing for the Prostate Cancer Cure

For years, Frank Sojonky hid his battle with prostate cancer from the world. But by 2004 he could hide it no longer, as the disease metastasized and began to spread. So when he learned from his oncologist, Dr. Peter Venner, that a chair in prostate cancer research was needed in Alberta, he made his personal goal to raise the funds to do it. That is how the Bird Dogs started and thanks to them and the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Dr. John Lewis and the Alberta Prostate Cancer Research Initiative are making important discoveries to improve the lives of those with prostate cancer.

Watch a video about the Bird Dogs.

- APCaRI