CNTV’s recent video features an interview with AnCan founder, Rick Davis. He explains that he started AnCan after his own diagnosis in 2007, after realizing inadequate support options, especially for those in remote areas. AnCan aims to eliminate barriers to entry for its various support groups, which range from cancer to chronic diseases. AnCan empowers patients to “Be your own best advocate” by providing them with the knowledge to speak confidently with their healthcare providers and offering peer-to-peer support.
Check out our Veterans and mental health too, including art and creative writing classes. All AnCan sessions are free and all except the Art Class are drop-in – no pre-registration.
Take a look at the recording of our latest webinar presentation featuring guest speaker Dr. Jonathan Epstein, MD, a leader in Advanced Uropathology. Thanks to guest panelists Dr. John Antonucci, MD, Dr. Randall Jones, PhD, and Howard Wolinsky.
Reliable biopsies are critical to selecting the right treatment at all stages of prostate cancer – we’re talking needle tissue, not blood, btw. Get it wrong and you may get too much or too little treatment.
Reading pathology is part art and part science! AnCan Advisory Board Member, Dr. Jonathan Epstein is globally acknowledged to have the best eye in the genitourinary pathology world. AnCan frequently refers men to him for a 2nd opinion. His presentation will include:
Getting the most out of a 2nd Opinion
The relevance of cribriform, intraductal, ductal, & small cells
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine. Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators, and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotions. Any drugs, protocols, or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence. AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so, call 1-800-332-1066 or download the interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
To SIGN UP for any of our Virtual Support groups, visit our Contact Us page
In our prostate cancer world, getting 2nd opinions is critical. It’s easy to find a medical second opinion, and you can have your pathology reread by the best. But MRIs – that’s been challenging.
Now there’s an affordable AI-validated option that’s proven very reliable* – ProstatID
Founder and Developer, Randall Jones, PhD, explains the technology and its uses. Hosted by AnCan Advisory Board Member and prostate cancer peer, Cdr. Mike Crosby
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine. Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators, and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotions. Any drugs, protocols, or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence. AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so, call 1-800-332-1066 or downloadthe interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
To SIGN UP for any of our Virtual Support groups, visit our Contact Us page.
What ASCO is to cancer doctors, AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) is to cancer researchers. When AACR held its annual convention in April, a small number of patient advocates were invited to participate as part of AACR’s Scientist-Survivor Program.
Representing AnCan, I was one of 42 advocates chosen from more than 200 applicants. The AACR has long recognized the need for patient involvement in cancer research — the SSP program began 28 years ago.
It’s a convention within a convention. Every day we heard from lucid and charismatic speakers, some of them presenting slides that they would later present at the convention. Talks included
State of the Art of Precision Oncology – Edward Kim, a chief physician at City of Hope
Very Early Cancer Detection Assays – Caris Life Sciences president David Spetzler
Drug Discovery and Development – Paul Workman, of the Institute of Cancer Research in London
Evolution of Resistance – Carlo Maley of Arizona State University
Each talk was inspiring, but my favorite was Workman’s. A legendary figure in cancer drug discovery, he argued that by probing deeply into how a drug works before clinical trials, researchers can identify in advance which patients are most likely to benefit. Many drugs written off as failures actually work remarkably well for a small subset of patients. Yet those patients will never get the treatment, because the drug was judged on its lack of effect in the wider population.
We were split into 6-person groups, each assigned a mentor scientist. In my group, that was Jeremy Mason, a young computational biologist at UCLA.
Advocates were required to present a poster at one of the general poster sessions. Mine showed AnCan’s unique benefit to cancer patients and others with chronic illness. Anchoring the poster was a quote from Dr. Paul Schellhammer, AnCan-er and past president of the American Urological Association:
I will comment that the level of diligence, expertise, and discussion rises to the level of an academic GU cancer conference / tumor board.
Most overwhelming for me was the passion and hard work of my fellow advocates, whose efforts included raising millions of dollars for research funding, helping create a research institute for a rare cancer, harnessing programming skills to codevelop AI with a cancer researcher, and initating an early-detection campaign for gay men at risk of anal cancer.
It’s always incredibly difficult to say goodbye to members of our AnCan community, as each person—whether a patient, survivor, carepartner, volunteer, moderator, or a board or advisory board member—means so much to us. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ken Mason, who was one of those cherished individuals.
A true friend, Ken lived his life with an infectious zest that inspired everyone around him. His laughter was a melody that brightened the darkest days, and his kindness knew no bounds. Whether he was sharing a clever (or terrible) joke, offering a shoulder to lean on, or simply lending an attentive ear, Ken made everyone feel valued and loved. His sincerity was a rare gem, shining brightly through his genuine interactions with friends and strangers alike. A man of both humor and heart, Ken’s legacy will continue to touch lives and bring smiles for generations to come.
AnCan Founder Rick Davis said:
I loved this man.
News of Ken’s demise was just like one of his crummy jokes – no one wanted to hear it.
Ken cared so much for others. Gary described his beloved as ’empathy, silliness and love’ exuding ‘kindness’. I might add to those qualities his quick wit and sense of humor. I feel honored to have been frequently on the receiving end of Ricklesian insults.
I had the privilege of supporting Ken virtually from around 2013 onwards through his four cancers. While all relatively benign, Ken shouldered the anxiety like the trooper (or MP??) he always was. Whatever bothered Mason was never the cancer.
Mason, as he self identified, was a treasured moderator for our AnCan virtual support groups. He always empathized. If a pressing issue was not voiced, Ken surfaced and addressed it. Every Group he attended is grieving.
I will forever miss Ken’s homespun, invariably impractical advice offered with the very best of intentions. I became expert in dismissing them without offending him, and was comforted when I read he offered comparable suggestions to Howard Wolinsky.
We had the privilege of meeting several times, the first with Gary when they came to dinner. It’s timely that I recently opened the balsamic you both gave me. Ken, G-d Rest His Soul, lived so much of his life in the present right to the meditation retreat at the very end. I doubt he would have planned his demise better.
Myself as well as all who knew Mason at AnCan offer Gary and Family much comfort. For us and all who knew Ken, his memory will always be a blessing.
I loved Ken—most in the PCa world called him “Mason”—like a brother. We all did.
He kept me and everyone in stitches at support groups for men with low-risk PCa.
Ken also asked great questions—though he didn’t seem to know it. Communicating with Ken, especially privately, could create Zen moments—and laughter. He was the prototype Laughing Buddha, without the pot belly.
Ken wanted to be called Mason because as he stated he “was in witness protection (he was not) with warrants (false)” and the only way he was able to participate was to “use an alias”. While his husband Gary described him beautifully as ‘the purest, kindest soul I know’—full of empathy, silliness, and love—Ken also had a wonderful knack for delightful ‘BS,’ which, frankly, only made us love him even more.
We shared memories of Ken with Gary during the first part of our Active Surveillance meeting. If you did not get the privilege to meet Ken, we encourage you to listen to stories and some of his classic “Ken Jokes”
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 26th, 2- 5pm at Barred Owl at the Scarlet Hotel, 2101 Transformation Dr 6th Floor,, Lincoln, NE 68508. The event will be streamed virtually – AnCan will provide details. Bring your worst jokes.
Thank you Ken for all the time you graciously shared, the love, support, and the laughs. May his memory always be a blessing!
Ken cared so much for others. Gary described his beloved as ’empathy, silliness and love’ exuding ‘kindness’. I might add to those qualities his quick wit and sense of humor. I feel honored to have been frequently on the receiving end of Ricklesian insults.
Advisory Board Member Howard Wolinsky 
