Do you know the difference between genetic and genomic testing and how it can impact your decisions on whether to follow Active Surveillance protocols vs. more aggressive surgical and radiation options? ASPI is premiering a segment of the AS 101 series aimed at educating patients about the differences between genetic and genomic testing.

AS 101, like an introductory college course, was launched in 2022 to explain in short video chats the basics of active surveillance for the newly diagnosed, those in the “gray zone” with rising PSAs but no biopsy confirming the presence of low-risk cancer, and also patients who have been on AS for a while but are looking for a refresher course.

We on the ASPI Board would love to hang out with you all on February 25 at noon EST with a presentation from three of us: Thrainn Torvaldsson, Joe Gallo, and our newest member, Govinda Ramakrishna, who, at different points during their Active Surveillance management protocols, needed to choose intervention and transition to treatment.

Each of us has gone through, and continues on, the prostate cancer journey with a different story. The latest estimate in the United States is that approximately 50% of men on AS need to transition for various reasons. Isn’t that the way with prostate cancer… it is a long, winding, and unpredictable road – a divergent experience for all of us. Every one of you has your own narrative.

You can read our own stories online, and we thought it would be compelling and informative to hear from those who have progressed. Many years ago, when many of us chose Active Surveillance, fear of a possible future finding of more aggressive cancer necessitating treatment with possible side effects gave us pause. The word on the street – and scientific studies – suggested high percentages of erectile dysfunction and incontinence once one chose intervention. Men are reluctant to speak of these issues. Our Board Members who have progressed have had challenges but have found ways to cope with and lessen their fears. Our intention for this hour or so is to speak freely of these issues – and other aspects of the transition to treatment – when we come together.

Save the date! We welcome you to join us on February 25 to hear several stories and participate in our regularly scheduled Q and A following. Our mission is to give you information to empower you to make informed choices during your shared decision-making process with your doctors. This program is a first – and we believe it is important to present and share it with you.

The Active Surveillance Coalition, a collaboration of leading support groups for active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer, is sponsoring a webinar at 9 a.m. Vancouver/12 p.m. New York/5 p.m. London/6 p.m. Amsterdam on Thursday, Nov. 17 to discuss how we can move the needle on AS, close monitoring of prostate cancer.

AS leaders from Sweden, Holland, the United Kingdom, and the state of Michigan’s will share their “secret sauce” for reaching AS rates of near 90% and above.

AS 101 is a series of conversations between actual patients and their partners/spouses and leading experts. The goal of this series is to reach all AS candidates, including those who have not yet been diagnosed with prostate cancer but have rising PSAs (prostate-specific antigen) blood levels to p[rovide them with an introduction to AS. We want to provide the tools to help them formulate questions when they go to their family doctors, urologists, or oncologists.

ASPI at its September 24, 2022 meeting will be premiering the first of a new video series named “Active Surveillance 101.”
Like 101-level courses in colleges, AS 101 is aimed at teaching the basics. In this case, it’s the basics of active surveillance, close monitoring of low- to favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
The program features conversations between actual patients and their partners/spouses and leading experts. The goal of this series is to reach all AS candidates, including those who have not yet been diagnosed with prostate cancer but have rising PSAs (prostate-specific antigen) blood levels and offer them an introduction to AS and help them formulate questions when they go to their family doctors, urologists, or oncologists.
The first episode features a couple , Nancy and Larry White in a simulated office visit with Dr. Steve Spann, a top family physician and dean of the University of Houston College of Medicine. They discuss Larry’s rising PSA and what it may mean.
In subsequent episodes, the couple visits Dr. Laurence Klotz, of the University of Toronto, the “father of active surveillance.” Other episodes of AS 101 are being developed on biopsies, imaging, and DNA testing.
AS 101 is sponsored by the Active Surveillance Coalition, which includes Active Surveillance Patients International, the AnCan Virtual Support Group for Active Surveillance, Prostate Cancer Support Canada, Prostate Cancer Research Institute, and TheActiveSurveillor.com newsletter. We encourage you to share this series with anyone who you know who is dealing with this issue, including your family physician.

Free program: click the link below to register.

Men, loved ones, and families can gain valuable facts from a cancer genetic test. While the use of genetics testing for cancers is still growing, the existing state of the art for prostate and related cancers is a powerful tool for identifying men and persons at risk. This 60 minute expert presentation will feature expert Geneticist Robert Finch, MS, a Certified Genetic Counselor, and Medical Oncologist Michael Glode’, MD. You will be reacquainted with prostate cancer screening biomarkers such as the PSA test and a variety of genomic tests, receive a thorough explanation of how and when to get a cancer genetics test along with genomics tests, and finally a moment for you the patient or family to ask questions.

As ASPI does not provide medical advice, this program will educate you and your family about medical details of a family history from a genetics test, which genetics tests are not useful for medical care, the pertinent genetic relationships between breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers and how any of these genes may affect your health. and Getting more educated not only better serves the prostate cancer patient, but also the family.

Please join us for this positive and powerful presentation with benefits for everyone!
Learn, live and thrive with ASPI!

This presentation is sponsored by a donation from Myriad Genetics

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Aug 27, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Free registration: Click Here

“Eat To Beat Prostate Disease – Foods That Promote Prostate Health and Fight Prostate Cancer” 

Best-Selling Author of Eat To Beat Disease Dr. William Li will be our Zoom meeting guest speaker July 30.

Dr. Li’s TED talk, YouTube, and TikTok videos addressing the topic of Food As Medicine have had more than 13 million views. Co-creator of 32 Medical Innovations.

INC. magazine calls Dr. Li “Richard Branson’s Diet Guru.” Over 100 published articles / studies. Dr. Li’s book “Eat To Beat Disease” is endorsed by Dean Ornish, MD and Mark Hyman, MD. In this free webinar you will find out which foods Dr. Li says have evidence for suppressing prostate cancer and how they achieve this.

Free Registration: Click Here

Steven A Kaplan, MD Professor of Urology Mount Sinai and BPH expert will discuss Living with BPH. Everyone is welcome to attend. No registration is required.

This will be a drop in GoTo meeting hosted by AnCan, no registration necessary.

Dr. Steven Kaplan graduated from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1982 and was elected to the AOA Honor Society. Dr. Kaplan’s postgraduate training included an internship and residency in the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital as well as a residency in Urology at the Squier Urologic Clinic, Columbia University.  He was an American Urologic Association Scholar between 1988 – 1990 that focused on identifying molecular markers and urodynamic parameters that herald bladder and prostate dysfunction.

Dr. Kaplan is a Diplomat of the American Board of Urology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a recognized authority on the study of benign diseases of the prostate, the association of metabolic factors and voiding dysfunction and a thought leader on digital Men’s Health. He has published more than 1300 articles, 170 abstracts, and has made over 340 presentations in more than 35 countries. He is the co – author of five books and is on the Editorial Board of Urology, Journal of Urology, and Urology Times.

Dr. Kaplan has been a member of more than 30 professional organizations, been awarded 5 NIH grants and has received over 13 million dollars in research funding.  He was awarded the John K. Lattimer Award for Lifetime Achievement in Urology by the National Kidney Foundation.   He is the Founder of the Society of Benign Prostate Disease.  Currently, he is the Chair of Research of the of American Urologic Association and is on the AUA BPH Guidelines Committee.

ASPI and AnCan will be joining with the Prostate Forum of Orange County, Prostate Cancer Support Canada, the Walnut Foundation, and other organizations for a special webinar entitled: “Your Voice in the Future of Active Surveillance” Friday April 22 at 11AM ET.

Do you want to see where Active Surveillance is heading? Do you have some views you want to share?
Don’t miss this program: Top docs—including Dr. Laurence Klotz, who named AS; Dr. Peter Carroll and Dr. Peter Albertsen, who helped develop the approach, and Dr. E. David Crawford, who believes it’s time to move beyond AS.

Two projects this winter from Movember and PCai/University of Maryland held programs that looked at what research should look like on AS in the years ahead. Patients, advocates and doctors will comment on this research and more as we look ahead.

To Register Click Here