AnCan GU ASCO26 survivorship poster: participants strongly endorse our Groups
For release on Monday, Feb 23, 2026
AnCan Foundation strongly believes we run the best support groups available!! We can now release the first results of our 2024 AnCan Participant Survey that confirms that our participants think so too. This first batch of results is taken from almost 300 prostate cancer responses at all levels of disease.
99% of respondents would recommend AnCan Groups
66% improved Quality of Life – 83% noted reduced stress; 62% improved nutrition; 56% increased exercise
88% advocated better for themselves and AnCan influenced over half (54%) the treatment paths
47% made new friendships – AnCan’s personal favorite since this extends support well beyond our Groups
If you’re attending GU ASCO26 , please stop by our poster on Friday, Feb 27 to meet Dr. John Antonucci, discuss these astonishing results and the AnCan method, and pick up a flyer of the poster.
Evaluating the impact of virtual peer-led support groups on prostate cancer survivorship: the AnCan experience.
John Antonucci*, Boykin B. Jordan, Anita Oppong, Richard Davis
Abstract Number: 265
Poster Board Number: A23
Session Title: Poster Session B: Prostate Cancer and Urothelial Carcinoma
Date and Time: February 27, 2026, 11:30 AM-12:45 PM; 4:45 PM-5:45 PM (PST)
Background: Comprehensive prostate cancer (PCa) survivorship requires more than just clinical care, including education, psychosocial support, self-advocacy, and lifestyle guidance—needs often unmet by traditional oncology visits. Virtual peer-led support groups, such as those offered by the AnCan Foundation, offer accessible, real-time platforms for patients to share experiences, receive guidance, and foster community, regardless of geography. This study evaluates the impact of AnCan participation on factors known to be associated with a better quality of life (QOL) among PCa survivors.
Methods: A web-based survey was administered in 2024 to PCa survivors who attended or expressed interest in AnCan meetings. Respondents (N=294) provided demographic information and rated AnCan’s impact on QOL, peer support, self-advocacy, and satisfaction. Data were analyzed to assess the subjective influence of AnCan’s virtual support model on survivorship.
Results: (2021 results are in brackets for comparison.) Most respondents were in their 60s–70s (75%), highly educated (82%), and 55% had incomes over $100,000. Eighty-three percent had someone in their lives they could rely on and with whom they maintained regular contact.
Nearly all (97%) found AnCan meetings helpful for disease understanding, learning options, and well-being. Sixty-six percent reported improved QOL; 83% [50%] noted reduced stress; 62% [38%] improved nutrition; and 56% [58%] increased exercise. Satisfaction was high, with 99% recommending AnCan.
AnCan involvement enhanced self-advocacy (88%), improved patient-provider communication, and improved decision-making. Seventy percent brought information from AnCan to their providers, 49% added new providers, and 40% changed their lead provider. Over half (54%) reported that AnCan influenced their treatment path.
Socially, 55% [43%] connected with peers outside meetings, and 47% made new friendships.
Conclusions: Survey responses indicate that the AnCan virtual peer-led model, to be described in the poster, meaningfully increases patient knowledge, empowers self-advocacy, reduces stress, and fosters healthy behaviors, improving quality of life for PCa survivors. We advocate for integrating such peer support into NCCN, AUA, and ASCO survivorship guidelines.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, 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 promotion. 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 interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! 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/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: Cribriform complicates treatment decision; and we discuss NCI trial
Topics Discussed
Over-70 KP ‘Couple’ insisted on PSA against protocol and found 4+4 cancer – cribriform complicates Tx decision; recently Dx denovo Mx ‘Couple’ seeking their way; recurrence after 7 years may set up well for NCI trial; high Decipher and cribriform may point to doublet; NCI Playing the Long Game discussed – Dr. Paul rightly finds it antithetical; Natera trial result reports zero level ctDNA; leg pain after starting doublet HT; push the IHT 3 more months with diligent AS; estradiol vets defer conversation to next week; side effects of radiation treatment
Is Gallium – 68 the more sensitive recommended radioactive tracer to use for a PSMA-PET Scan? Just wondering if seeking the best tracer produces better results.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, 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 promotion. 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 interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! 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/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: Unrelated Newbies from either Coast have almost identical issues.
Topics Discussed
Our two Newbies are ‘twins’ – both denovo Mx on the cusp between high and low volume mets, and both with less experienced GU med oncs; 4x chemo down doing well with a full head of hair!; finding an exercise program; contacting NCI; Orgovyx trumps a 6-mo. depot shot; early radiation cystitis; finding Dr. E; with heart history, Orgovyx or Lupron?; discussing NCI trial & adaptive therapy
Chat
AnCan – Rick sent: 5:55 PM
Technical assistance 877 582 7011
AnCan – Rick sent: 5:56 PM
Playing the Long Game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4jzyAeOtNI
Great Meeting again gang! I’m out – time to walk the dog.
michael perillo sent: 7:21 PM
Hi all, need to leave the meeting. Obviously have quite a bit of work to do re possible change to orggovyx, possible use of radiation, chemo or other triplet approach, possible somatic testing as well as second opinion. Will follw up on future meetings. Thanks Michael
AnCan–John A sent: 7:21 PM
Ok Michael, welcome
Eric James; Tyler TX sent: 7:25 PM
The weight you use is relative to your strength. Weight is usually selected based on how many reps you are to do.
Steve Schuler (Go Seahawks!) sent: 7:31 PM
Did you have doubling time data before going on the ADT?
The reason I ask is that there will be a lag after going off ADT before the DT data will be reliable
Eric James; Tyler TX sent: 7:33 PM
The NCI doc presentation has some overlap with Adaptive Therapy
Steve Schuler (Go Seahawks!) sent: 7:38 PM
Orgovyx will restore your T faster once you get off it
RJ Smith (Seattle) sent: 7:48 PM
ChatGPT, etc.) is not a GU Med Onc. Not even a urologist or MD of any kind.
Steve Schuler (Go Seahawks!) sent: 7:56 PM
gotta drop, love to hear more discussion of the NCI YT video at some point. If that happens after I drop, I’ll view the recording of this session later
Richard B, Silver Spring, MD sent: 8:02 PM
I need to step away due to an early start tomorrow morning. Nothing new to report but more assessments this week. So possible report next week. ‘Appreciate all the conversations. Good night.
dan-s alexandria sent: 8:03 PM
gotta go, gents…. good conversations.
Bruce Schrimpf sent: 8:11 PM
As always it was very informative. Thanks for being “there” for those of us struggling through!
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, 1/27/26
AnCan is closing out its Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you haven’t donated yet, consider the priceless value we bring . Please donate – especially if you watch our recordings and are not on our Mailchimp list. https://ancan.org/donate/
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, 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 promotion. 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 interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! 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/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
HEADS-UP: another marathon session!!
Editor’s Pick: Disruptor attends solely to advocate for Dr. Kwon… and makes AnCan’s case with his own inappropriate overtreatment.
Topics Discussed
Potentially de novo metastatic Gent prefers faith to treatment; … and this de novo Mx man has fared well on doublet and radiotherapy RT; he’s more interested in chastising AnCan over Kwon than his own overtreatment; radiation proctitis discussion; kidneys backwashed from possible radiation damage; Clomid slow to restore T… give it time Dr. Jack; considering immunotherapy well before its time; raises the question – does TMB differ between tissue and blood samples?; v. low testosterone may not be related to previous PrCa treatment; new GU MO needed in Central Florida; PSMA is negative but started on Lupron; why shlepp to MDA – what’s wrong with Chicago?; back- end Newbie needs a GU med onc rather than uro; Kwon proselytizer won’t give up; Canadian placed on doublet per AnCan navigation is feeling good and grateful
Chat
Jon McPhee Toronto sent: 4:13 PM
Toronto is in Canada
Dan – Schenectady, NY sent: 4:41 PM
Thank you Bob
AnCan – Rick sent: 4:55 PM
Telephone # for tech assistance: 877 582 7011
Frank Ciambra sent: 5:25 PM
got to go ,see guys net week everyone have great weekend
Bruce Schrimpf sent: 5:38 PM
Got to go. Best to all of you! BDS
Lee Baylin sent: 5:45 PM
Good night.
AnCan – Rick sent: 5:45 PM
my DEXA showed -2.0 in spine and forearm last week. Doc just wants me to supplement with calcium and D.
oh… and resistance exercise!!
Steve Roux, North Michigan sent: 5:46 PM
I’m doing the same +K2
I resist exercise daily.😆
Peter M sent: 5:57 PM
good night gents!
Steve Roux, North Michigan sent: 5:58 PM
Great Meeting gang. I gotta run . Good night all.
Jim Marshall, Veteran, Alexandria, VA sent: 6:05 PM
Hey, 3 1/2 years on a Treatment Holiday and all is good. Jim
Julian – Houston sent: 6:15 PM
Thanks All – I will contact Dr E!
Thomas Matica sent: 6:15 PM
Good night. Thanks to everyone. Peace. Thomas.
Ron S Regina SK Canada sent: 6:21 PM
Thanks all. Gotta go.
Richard B, Silver Spring, MD sent: 6:27 PM
Goodnight gentlemen, I appreciate the feedback tonight. Very helpful
Jon McPhee Toronto sent: 6:29 PM
Nite all.
Bob Schwartz U.S.N. Venice, FL. sent: 6:32 PM
Good mtg., see you next week.
Jim Marshall, Veteran, Alexandria, VA sent: 6:58 PM
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, 1/19/26
AnCan is closing out its Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you haven’t donated yet, consider the priceless value we bring . Please donate – especially if you watch our recordings and are not on our Mailchimp list. https://ancan.org/donate/
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, 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 promotion. 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 interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! 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/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: After 15 years, Prostate cancer recurs for one Gent; and the 2nd time, 13 years later, for another.
Topics Discussed
Newbie needs to switch to a GU MO; PrCa metastasizes after 15 yrs; singlet to doublet during RT; Pluvicto failing after 10x sessions – STEAP1 xaluritamig (AMG509 ) next but heads up!; early signs of 2nd recurrence; Eligard vs Firmagon (agonist vs antagonist LHRH); first GU med onc appointment coming up; managing hot flashes; Oxybutynin again; doc can’t get approval right so switches drug; PSMA shows Nodes may not need RT; abiraterone dosing;
Chat
Rick Davis sent: 6:10 PM
PLEASE – no mention of the Championship Game tonight. Some peeps are recording it.
Need to leave – pass my bedtime. Catch you all next week!
Bob Schwartz U.S.N. Venice, FL. sent: 7:03 PM
Another GOOD Mtg., have to go, see everyone next week.
Rick Davis sent: 7:26 PM
Xaluritamig (AMG 509) is a novel bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) immunotherapy
Bob Y — Los Angeles sent: 7:27 PM
Appreciate everyone. I, too, have to go. See you next week.
Len sent: 7:30 PM
STEAP1 (Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate 1) is detected in prostate cancer (PCa) primarily through tissue analysis (immunohistochemistry), showing overexpression in malignant cells, and via liquid biopsies (extracellular vesicles in plasma), using methods like nanoscale flow cytometry,
AnCan–John A sent: 7:31 PM
thanks Len
Frank Ciambra sent: 7:32 PM
thank you
Rick Davis sent: 7:32 PM
Doubling time very unreliable at such low levels, Neil
dan-s sent: 7:40 PM
I also have to scoot… thanks all.
Barbara and Joe sent: 7:54 PM
are you saying lupron?
Jim Marshall, Veteran, Alexandria, VA sent: 7:55 PM
Lupron & Eligard are the exact same drug. Jim
Rick Davis sent: 7:56 PM
Are you asking about the Depot shots?
Rick Davis sent: 7:57 PM
Oxybutynin…. good for hot flashes if you are on abi
Steve L sent: 7:57 PM
Must leave at 7, Best to all.
Alain sent: 7:58 PM
See you next time guys!
Barbara and Joe sent: 7:58 PM
I was asking about a two tier therapy
Steve Lsent: 7:59 PM
no , thank you.
Alfredo in Houston, TX sent: 8:00 PM
I must disconnect shortly. Thanks to everyone; I learn something new from every session.
Rick Davis sent: 8:01 PM
ADT + ARSI = doublet. ADT can be one of several drugs.
Thomas Matica sent: 8:02 PM
Signing out. Thanks to everyone. Peace.
Len sent: 8:02 PM
Dan – Trade name for oxybutynin is Ditropan.
Barry Blomquist sent: 8:06 PM
Thanks guys!
Richard B, Silver Spring, MD sent: 8:09 PM
As much as I would like to remain I need to bow out for the evening. I can save my question until next session. Always appreciate the information on these meeting. Good night!
