Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy as Primary Treatment
Many Gents and their Carers visit our Low/Intermediate Prostate Cancer Group with the intention of using focal therapy to treat their situation. They believe this minimizes treatment and side effects.
AnCan has never been a huge fan of any form of focal therapy. We strongly hold that it is not needed or appropriate for GG1 (Gleason 3+3) men. If elected, it is largely for men with GG2 (G3+4) and on rare occasions GG3 (G4+3).
A major concern with focal therapy is the high rate of recurrence, no matter the type of focal treatment.. Invariably it is over 50%. Since many trials and practitioners treat men with 3+3 disease with some success, the true rate of failure for men with GG2 and GG3 may be considerably higher.
In the UCSF Patient Conference on Prostate Cancer ( April 17, 2026), Dr. Matt Cooperberg presented the following slide that guides AnCan Moderators:
(apologies for clarity… from a screenshot)
Please note AnCan does not provide medical advice. The guidance above is for information only and should be discussed with your medical providers.
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, April 22nd, 2026
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
Active Surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer involves unique challenges compared to other treatments. This online support group is designed for men and their caregivers who are currently on or considering AS. We hold four meetings monthly, recording only the second and fourth sessions. Our discussions cover a wide range of topics, including anxiety management, biopsy experiences, and the decision-making process around continuing or discontinuing AS. Newcomers are given priority to share their experiences, so we encourage you to join us.
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, April 8th, 2026
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
Active Surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer involves unique challenges compared to other treatments. This online support group is designed for men and their caregivers who are currently on or considering AS. We hold four meetings monthly, recording only the second and fourth sessions. Our discussions cover a wide range of topics, including anxiety management, biopsy experiences, and the decision-making process around continuing or discontinuing AS. Newcomers are given priority to share their experiences, so we encourage you to join us.
Eric- Atlanta 8:00 PM
2026 Prostate Cancer Patients and Caregivers Conference September 18th-20th, 2026 | Early Registration | $30 https://pcri.org/2026-conference
Phil-Toronto 8:03 PM
PCRI mid-year update April 25/26
Ron Jr (Sharon, Pa) 8:28 PM
I live in the Rust Belt, NW Pa, country area – and my Urologist only does Trans-perineal biopsy. I had a hip replacement & it’s the ONLY biopsy I had, and I will get moving forward. Infection would put my total hip at risk!
Albert 9:01 PM
thanks all. Bye, Albert
AnCan – Rick 9:04 PM
Turkey bacon ain’t so bad
AnCan – Rick 9:06 PM
PCPEP study – sign up! https://ancan.org/pcpep-the-prostate-cancer-patient-empowerment-program-040126/
Eric- Atlanta 9:07 PM
Is the PCPEP seminar shared? I had to miss.
PCPEP – The Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program: Improve Your Quality of Life
PCPEP – learn how to employ the Science and Practice of an Anti‑Inflammatory Lifestyle – With Dr. Rob Rutledge
AnCan is all about survivorship – improving Quality of Life after diagnosis, with a focus on diet/nutrition, exercise, stress management, and more.
We now welcome PCPEP (Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program), a Canadian-based program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. https://pcpep.org to our AnCan family.
PCPEP’s goal is to optimize survivorship for prostate cancer patients and others. It does this through daily emails and videos focused on components that contribute to your QoL – exercise, nutrition, stress reduction, and the social connection that makes AnCan a big family.
Watch Co-founder Dr. Rob Rutledge, a GU radiation oncologist, explain the program.
The program is FREE and currently open to ALL men with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Although the presentation was made to Gents in early Active Surveillance, it is open to all levels.
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, March 25th, 2026
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
Active Surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer involves unique challenges compared to other treatments. This online support group is designed for men and their caregivers who are currently on or considering AS. We hold four meetings monthly, recording only the second and fourth sessions. Our discussions cover a wide range of topics, including anxiety management, biopsy experiences, and the decision-making process around continuing or discontinuing AS. Newcomers are given priority to share their experiences, so we encourage you to join us.
AnCan – Dan 8:17 PM
2nd Opinions for Biopsies -Jonathan Epstein, MD Contact: jepstein@imppllc.com https://advanceduropathology.com -Ming Zhou, MD, PHD Now at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. If you have questions for him, please contact him directly at Email: Ming.zhou@mountsinai.org -John Hopkins Pathology https://pathology.jhu.edu/patient-care/second-opinions Biopsy Videos/Links topics: Master pathologist Zhou continues his primer on prostate biopsies https://howardwolinsky.substack.com/p/master-pathologist-zhou-continues Second Opinion Diagnosis in Prostate Pathology Grand Rounds in Urology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTjOED_da1I Should You Get a Second Opinion on Gleason 6 Pathology Slides? Expert Laurence Klotz, MD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9DE6xhKQ_4 Prostate Biopsy: The Beginning of the End? with Dr. Mark Emberton(3/2026) https://aspatients.org/meeting/prostate-mri-vs-biopsy-emberton/ Discusses Biopsy prostate trauma(seeding), MRI first, and many others
Dave G 8:41 PM
Dave Gursky dbgursky@gmail.com
BJ 8:45 PM
thanks guys see you next week
Dean (Denver) 8:45 PM
Dan, can you put that comment about PCRI video in chat
Dean (Denver) 8:58 PM
Never mind Dan, I got it
Dan Pertschuk-San Diego 9:15 PM
Dr. Scholz from PCRI talking about the clinical implication of the different prostate biopsy results. On You tube 2 days ago.
Andy Douglas 9:18 PM
file:///D:/Downloads/cancers-17-02193-v3.pdf
AnCan – Rick 9:18 PM
Dr. Epstein…. 516-760-2037
AnCan – Dan 9:19 PM
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12249354/
AnCan – Rick 9:26 PM
Greg Burns tonight on Solo Arts Heal 7.30 Pacific https//:themarsh.org/soloartsheal JOIN US!
AnCan – Rick 9:27 PM
Off to Solo Arts Heal!
Milton 9:30 PM
Gotta run. Thank you to everyone in the group!
