Health Insight
Every day, 80 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, resulting in nearly 30,000 cases annually. It’s the top cancer diagnosis for men. While advances have been made in treatment and survival, all prostate cancer treatments can affect sexual function.
The physical, sexual, and psychological impact of prostate cancer and its treatment are often underestimated, even though they can have a lasting impact on quality of life.
For many men, these effects reach far beyond the disease itself. Changes in sexual function can affect intimacy, relationships, confidence and even their sense of identity. Yet these concerns can be difficult to raise, and too often, men are left wondering where to turn for information and support.
Prostate cancer doesn’t end when treatment does
The biggest question often is: where does one find credible resources and support? This is PROCURE’s role, a Canadian charitable organization, which over the past 20 years has been entirely dedicated to the fight against prostate cancer. Recognized by the Canadian Urological Association (CUA), PROCURE ensures men and their loved ones have access to trusted information, specialized support, and appropriate resources throughout every stage of the journey. This includes quick access to healthcare professionals through a toll-free medical assistance line.
With $14 million invested in prostate cancer research, PROCURE has helped drive major advances, including the creation of its own biobank, a significant achievement for a patient-focused organization. PROCURE is also about awareness and advocacy, and a big part of that is showing that a prostate cancer diagnosis begins a journey that can extend well beyond treatment. Patients may face physical, emotional, sexual and relationship challenges before, during and long after treatment. Comprehensive prostate cancer care should therefore consider the whole person, not only the disease, and provide information and support throughout survivorship.
Normalizing the conversation
Opening the conversation and normalizing these concerns can help men understand that sexual health is a legitimate part of their recovery and quality of life, and that support and treatment options exist.
Making space for these conversations throughout the prostate cancer journey can help patients and their partners better understand treatment-related changes, ask questions earlier and seek the support that is right for them.
Know Your Risk. Start the Conversation.
Prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms, particularly in its earlier stages. Knowing your individual risk and discussing screening with a healthcare professional can be an important part of prostate health. Risk increases with age, especially after 50, and is also higher among men with a family history of prostate cancer and among Black men.
Screening may include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, with or without a digital rectal exam. Men should speak with their healthcare provider about whether screening is appropriate for them, starting at age 50, or around age 45 for those at higher risk.
Throughout the prostate cancer journey, PROCURE offers men and their loved ones trusted information through its medical assistance line, helping them better understand what they are experiencing, explore their questions and navigate the different stages of the disease, treatment and recovery.
Access free, confidential support and trusted prostate cancer information through at procure.ca or by calling 1-855-899-2873 (7 days a week).
