MEN'S CANCERS
With September’s arrival, a new season can feel like a fresh start, but it also represents an annual opportunity to recognize one of the most common cancers impacting men globally.
In Canada, one in every nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Like many cancers, prostate cancer’s physical effects on the body can be detrimental, but men’s health charity Movember is reminding Canadians that it’s equally important to recognize the impact a prostate cancer diagnosis can have on a man’s mental health.
Many men continue to struggle with the concept of vulnerability, particularly so for older generations of men (aged 45 and over), who represent the demographic most at risk
of developing prostate cancer. Prostate cancer strips patients of their physical health, but the symptoms associated with the disease — erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and weight gain — can also contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. For men who grew up during a time when they were expected to stay “strong and silent,” the mental health impacts can be some of the hardest to face. September may be prostate cancer awareness month, but it also offers an opportune time to check in with the men in your life — not just reminding them to keep an eye on their physical health but to prioritize their mental health as well. By fostering an open and supportive environment, we can better support the men we love — whatever battle they may be facing.
Sonya Friesen
Navigating a Bladder Cancer Diagnosis
Bladder cancer may be one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, but ongoing treatment advancements are offering a renewed sense of optimism.
Sonya Friesen
Medical
Caroline Lemieux Director of Medical Affairs, EMD Serono, Canada
In Canada, bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer with over 12,000 patients diagnosed annually. 1 While it can affect both sexes, it’s the fourth most diagnosed cancer in men, making them particularly vulnerable.
For over 80 per cent of patients, the most likely indicator will be blood in the urine, yet symptoms can range from bladder spasms to back or groin pain.
Most patients are diagnosed with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer, when the cancer has not yet grown into muscles surrounding the bladder. Sadly, one in four patients are diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Until recently, those diagnosed with advanced stages of bladder cancer were met with survival rates of as little as one year. Yet, new advancements in treatment options are providing optimism, having shown to extend life expectancy beyond two years.
Why Consider BioAro?
Personalized Risk Assessment:
BioAro's genomic testing delves deep into an individual's DNA, uncovering genetic mutations or variations associated with an increased risk of cancer. This information allows for tailored recommendations and informed decisions about lifestyle adjustments and screening protocols.
Early Detection:
By identifying potential risks through genomic testing, men can work with their healthcare providers to develop a proactive plan that includes regular screenings and necessary interventions.
Empowerment and Peace of Mind:
Knowledge is power. Understanding one's genetic predisposition to cancer empowers individuals to take charge of their health, make informed choices, and alleviate anxiety through proactive measures.
Family Health Legacy:
Genetic information can be invaluable for future generations. By understanding familial cancer risks, individuals can share insights with family members and encourage them to undergo testing, potentially preventing cancer before it develops.
A new age of treatment
“Bladder cancer can be aggressive; it’s important to have treatment options available to patients,” says Caroline Lemieux, Director of Medical Affairs for EMD Serono, Canada.
“Over the last decade, we’ve seen an increase in treatment options,” explains Dr. Nimira Alimohamed, Medical Oncologist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. “Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antibody drug conjugates and oral agents are all playing a role in incrementally improving outcomes for patients with advanced bladder cancer.”
understand the best treatment options available. Organizations like Bladder Cancer Canada provide access to support, resources, and tools to help make each cancer journey a little easier.
Doctors, urologists, oncologists, and medical researchers continue to work towards a more optimistic future for patients, studying new treatments and combinations. Clinical trials are also paving the way for further improvements at earlier stages of the disease.
By working alongside clinical staff, patients and caregivers can navigate their diagnosis and better
“We’ve come a long way, and while there’s still a long way to go, there’s a lot of hope and optimism for the future,” says Dr. Nimira.
1 https://bladdercancercanada.org/en/bladder-cancer-facts/
To explore resources, support and better understand options available, patients and caregivers can visit bladdercancercanada.org
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Prioritizing Men's Health: The Importance of Genetic Testing with BioAro
Cancer remains one of the most formidable challenges to global health. As the field of genetics continues to advance, innovative companies like BioAro are leading the charge in revolutionizing cancer prevention and treatment through genomic testing.
Dr. Anmol Kapoor
Cancers that predominantly affect men, including prostate and testicular cancer, pose significant health risks. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men globally, and early detection is paramount for successful treatment. Testicular cancer, while less common, is the most common cancer among young men aged 15 to 39. Recognizing the need for proactive measures, BioAro offers a ground-breaking solution through genomic testing.
Genomic testing: A new frontier
BioAro specializes in genomic
testing, utilizing a cutting-edge approach that analyzes an individual's genetic makeup to identify potential cancer risk factors. Unlike traditional methods, which often focus solely on family history and lifestyle, genomic testing provides a personalized insight into an individual's genetic predisposition to specific types of cancer. This enables a more comprehensive understanding of the potential risks, empowering men to take proactive steps towards prevention and early detection.
Thisarticlewasmadepossiblewithsupport fromaleadingbiotechnologycompany.
To learn more, visit bioaro.com
Dr. Nimira Alimohamed
Oncologist, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, AB
Dr. Anmol Kapoor CEO & Founder, BioAro Inc.
A New Chapter is Emerging for Certain Cancers in Advanced Stages
The evolution of cancer management is bringing new answers and hope.
Prostate cancer treatment in Canada is rich with success stories. About one in eight Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, with more than 24,000 new diagnoses each year. And yet the vast majority of these will see it effectively treated with surgery and radiation if the cancer is found in the early stages.
Because prostate cancer is so prevalent, however, the cohort of rarer and harder-to-treat cases involving advanced and metastatic cancer is still very large. For these patients, the treatment journey has historically been a lot more difficult creating a need for new approaches.
Radioligand therapy: the next generation of cancer treatment
The latest advance in cancer care, called radioligand therapy (RLT), is a new approach that’s bringing optimism to patients living with various forms of cancer.
Traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy, have been successful in controlling cancerous cells, but they can also wreak havoc with healthy cells. RLT is different.
RLT works through the bonding of therapeutic radioisotopes to specially crafted cell-targeting compounds that circulate through the body,
binding selectively to cells with the targeted marker. In short, it’s precision medicine designed to directly target cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy surrounding cells.
”One of the beautiful things about RLT is that it allows us to identify a specific target,” explains Dr. Ricardo Rendon, President-Elect of the Canadian Urological Association. “It doesn't matter where they are, whether they’re in the original cancer site itself or whether they’ve spread to the bones or elsewhere.
For example, if they’re prostate cancer cells, we're going to find them in those places.”
A similar targeted radioisotope therapy has already revolutionized thyroid cancer treatment, and the development of RLT is now offering hope to patients with different cancers including advanced prostate cancer.
A new era of multidisciplinary cancer care Administering this advanced therapy requires profound collaboration between medical professionals in multiple domains. These radioisotope techniques fall within the field of nuclear medicine, and so many cancer care teams are seeing nuclear medicine practitioners newly bolstering their ranks. “With this disease and some
other diseases where we can use nuclear medicine to deliver the treatment, doctors from nuclear medicine are becoming more involved in treatment as well as diagnosis,” says Dr. Rendon. “It falls under the idea of personalized medicine. Most patients have to be treated as unique cases. The only way of doing that is through multidisciplinary care.”
This new approach of multidisciplinary precision medicine — with medical and urological oncologists and nuclear medicine doctors working alongside specialized nurses and other healthcare professionals — is ushering in a new era of hope for those in the more advanced stages of prostate cancer.
“When it gets to those stages, up until 10 years ago, we had very little to offer,” says Dr. Rendon. “Now we have so many different treatment options. In 10 years of research, we’ve doubled the life expectancy of patients, which is essentially unparalleled in any other cancer. We continue to do a lot of research and this is among the most active areas of research in oncology. We have hundreds of trials underway.”
This evolution in cancer management is presenting options for patients and creating opportunities for informed discussions on how to move forward when cancer advances.
One of the beautiful things about RLT is that it allows us to identify a specific target.
Dr. Ricardo Rendon President-Elect, Canadian Urological Association
For more information about prostate cancer, visit PROCURE.ca Thisarticlewasmadepossiblewithsupport fromaresearch-basedpharmaceutical company.
D.F. McCourt
Your skin is your largest and most visible organ. That’s why it’s crucial to protect it by monitoring for skin cancer. There are two main categories of skin cancer — melanoma (or pigmented) skin cancers and non-melanoma (non-pigmented) skin cancers which include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Melanoma is the rarest but most deadly form of skin cancer, while BCC is the most common but rarely fatal. cSCC is the second most common skin cancer and while also rarely fatal, it can become very disfiguring if untreated. “The most common risk factor for all three cancer types is excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure over time, though with melanoma there can be some genetic predispositions,” says Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, Professor, Department of Pathology, Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Skin cancer rates slightly higher among men
Men need to be especially vigilant about sun exposure and recognizing the early warning signs. “Of the approximately 8,700 Canadians diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in 2021, 4,700 were males compared to 4,000 females”, says Falyn Katz, CEO, Melanoma Canada. And while melanoma is one of the rarest forms of skin cancer, it is one of the most common cancer types found in young adults aged 15 to 29 and 30 to 49.1
While the reasons for higher skin cancer rates among men are not well understood, Dr. Giocomantonio believes that lifestyle, attitude, and culture play a role. “Men are historic-
ally considered more risk takers with sun exposure and not too worried about lathering up with sunscreen and protecting themselves,” he says. “They’re also less inclined to visit the doctor to get checked.”
Why Men Need to Be Extra Vigilant Against Skin Cancer
With skin cancers more prevalent in men, guys need to be extra cautious. Regular checkups and early detection ensure positive outcomes.
Anne Papmehl
Most skin cancers are detected by the patients themselves or by a loved one, so we encourage people to do the skin checks every month and talk to their doctor or dermatologist if there’s something of concern. It really can save your life.
New treatment options available for advanced skin cancer
Treatment for the non-melanoma cancers tends to be quite simple. “Both of these cancers have very low mortality rates and are usually successfully treated by surgical incision,” says Dr. Giocomantonio. “For advanced metastatic melanoma or cSCC where the cancer has spread beyond the primary tumour site, treatment includes targeted immune therapy, one of the earliest clinical success stories,” he
says. “The expected success rates from immunotherapy today are over 50 per cent, which is remarkable given that the response rate prior was 10 per cent at best,” he says.
Community important to men on skin cancer journey
A sense of community support is vital to men undergoing the skin cancer journey. Melanoma Canada offers a variety of programs and services, from one-to-one cancer coaching to peer support and bi-monthly support groups. “While no two melanomas or skin cancers are alike, having these conversations with others who understand what you’re going through and realizing you’re not alone is a big part of the mental health and coping aspect,” says Katz. The best way to help men advocate for their health is by encouraging them to stay proactive. “It seems obvious, but the best way to treat melanoma or cSCC is to catch it early and eradicate it effectively,” says Dr. Giocomantonio. “And though less than one per cent of BCC cases become aggressive or potentially metastatic, they too are most effectively dealt with if caught early,” he says. The best way to detect skin cancers early is by regularly monitoring your skin. “Most skin cancers are detected by the patients themselves or by a loved one, so we encourage people to do the skin checks every month and talk to their doctor or dermatologist if there’s something of concern. It really can save your life,” says Katz.
1 https://www.melanomanetwork.ca/stats-andfacts/#ref
Giacomantonio Professor, Department of Pathology, Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, NS
Falyn Katz CEO, Melanoma Canada
To learn more about skin cancer, visit Melanoma Canada at melanomacanada.ca
Dr. Carman