Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, August 27th, 2025
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, and Blue Earth Diagnostics.
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.
Hi Rick! We managed, no damage other than smoke smell in the house. We did have to evacuate for a week, the Marriott chain in our area has three properties that welcome dogs (a must for us). Other than the expense, it went okay. How have you been?
AnCan – rick
Join us at 7.30 pm PACIFIC tonight to hear prostate cancer gent, JOHN MAXWELL interviewd by AnCan about his cancer experience and how his poetry has helped him and others. Join via link on https://ancan.org/solo-arts-heal/
Bill Harris (Los Angeles)
Same number still. Is Maxwell time pacific?
Bill Harris (Los Angeles)
Would love to get on the list for a question about my rising PSA
2nd Opinions for Biopsies: -Jonathan Epstein, MD 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
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, August 13th, 2025
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, and Blue Earth Diagnostics.
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.
2nd Opinions for Biopsies -Jonathan Epstein, MD Contact:jonathaniraepstein@gmail.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:
Carl Friedrich Reston VA
Carl Friedrich needs to log off log on again……
AnCan – rick
Dr. Kirsten Greene https://uvahealth.com/findadoctor/Kirsten-Greene-1023119013
Michael
Must sign off guys have a good meeting
Eric- Atlanta
2nd Opinions for MRIs -Second opinion of MRI from Johns Hopkins Images and Reports for Providers | Johns Hopkins Radiology (hopkinsmedicine.org) Email: eradiologycenter@jhmi.edu Phone: 443-287-7378 Fax: 443-769-1210 NIH 2nd Opinion MRI (no fees): Choyke, Peter (NIH/NCI) Radiologist pchoyke@mail.nih.gov -Accolade Radiology NY, PA https://accoladeradiology.com/mritap.html Radiology Check (Switzerland) https://radiologycheck.com/en
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, July 23rd, 2025
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, and Blue Earth Diagnostics.
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.
The test: https://www.exosomedx.com/patients/exodx-prostate-test
Eric- Atlanta
“The ExoDx Prostate test is a simple, non-invasive urine test to assess your risk of having clinically significant or high-grade prostate cancer. The ExoDx Prostate Test does not require a digital rectal exam (DRE) and provides an individualized risk score that can help determine whether to proceed or defer a prostate biopsy.”
Derek
like Eric asked were the biopsies “targeted”?
AnCan Barniskis – rick
Statins don’t effect the PSA
Eric- Atlanta
2nd Opinions for Biopsies: -Jonathan Epstein, MD Contact:jonathaniraepstein@gmail.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
Inquire about a telehealth appt. with Dr. Eggener as an option.
Eric- Atlanta
“PIN stands for prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and it refers to abnormal cell growth within the prostate gland. High-grade PIN (HGPIN) is considered a precancerous condition, meaning it can potentially develop into prostate cancer over time.”
Mike
Thanks Alexa
AnCan Barniskis – rick
Dr. Isla Garraway https://health.usnews.com/doctors/isla-garraway-447596
Eric- Atlanta
Dr. Matthew Cooperberg takes us on a candid journey through Active Surveillance for prostate cancer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev1WcQ1Ucic
Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
So we need to plan our biopsies for St Patricks Day?????
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!
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, July 9th, 2025
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, and Blue Earth Diagnostics.
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.
You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/. Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/.
Chat Log:
AnCan Barniskis – rick
Ken’s Memorial https://www.forevermissed.com/ken-mason/about
Eric- Atlanta
Acan Vets: https://ancan.org/veterans/
Gary
garykebbel@gmail.com
Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
https://uvahealth.com/findadoctor/Kirsten-Greene-1023119013
Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
here is her contact info
Eric- Atlanta
PROMISE/COLOR Genetic Study: https://www.prostatecancerpromise.org/?utm_campaign=ANCAN&utm_medium=link&utm_source=Webinar
Eric- Atlanta
Could be closing soon so act swiftly. No charge.
Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
🍁
Gary
Thank you for sharing your time with me. It was much appreciated. I have a family check-in now.
Eric- Atlanta
Micro Ultrasound physician finder: https://www.exactimaging.com/physician-finder Micro Ultrasound vs MRI in guided biopsies OPTIMUM Trial Results: https://www.vumedi.com/video/microultrasound-vs-mri-guided-biopsy-for-prostate-cancer-diagnosis-the-optimum-trial-results/?token=3bdedd05-0b76-4ec4-a1c9-064cd0806a8f&link_data=eyJiZXRfbWFpbF9pdGVtX2lkIjozODE1MDM5MDMsImJldF9tYWlsX2FjdGlvbiI6ImJjIn0%3A1u8F17%3AIbndn9N2vzQ0eVXcd_RdjDyNPHn0JrOEullWh-uonuY
AnCan Barniskis – rick
chronoc pain & gut https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/gut-microbiome-changes-chronic-pain-test-and-treat-2025a1000fo1?ecd=mkm_ret_250709_mscpmrk_neuro_pain-management_etid7554561&uac=529807HK&impID=7554561
Dan Gifford – Pensacola, FL
I’m out…have a great night all
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 
