NEW monthly GAY & BISEXUAL MEN’s Prostate Cancer Group starting Tue, Oct 14. Sign up at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
WELCOME all to our newly recorded Low/Intermediate Prostate Cancer Group. To receive notice when new recordings are posted, either follow us on this YouTube Channel or sign up to our Blog via https://ancan.org/contact-us/ – check New Blog box.
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussions 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
AnCan’s Prostate Cancer Forum is back (https://ancan.org/forums). If you’d like to comment on anything you see in our Recordings or read in our Reminders, just sign up and go right ahead. You can also click on the Forum icon at the top right of the webpage.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: Treatment recommendations including whole-gland radiation versus active surveillance. (bj)
Topics Discussed PSA history; biopsy results and the importance of getting a second opinion; imaging for staging & PIRADS scoring; molecular/genetic testing including Polaris molecular predictive tests; treatment recommendations including whole-gland radiation versus active surveillance; PSMA PET scans and their high success rate for detection; various biopsy techniques stressing the importance of getting a MRI before a biopsy; Prostox as a test for predicting urinary issues following treatment; radiation treatments and the potential for urinary and erectile side effects.
Chat Log
AnCan – Stuart sent a chat · 7:45 PM Dr. Ming Zhou – Mt Sinai Health System Email: Ming.zhou@mountsinai.org Phone: 212-241-8881 Dr. Jonathan Epstein – https://advanceduropathology.com/ Email: jepstein@imppllc.com Phone: 516-760-2037
David Keller Jacksonville, Florida sent a chat · 9:01 PM Thank you for a good meeting. Need to go. Have a great week.
Jim Stewart Reno, NV sent a chat · 9:15 PM signing out, good night all!
Henry sent a chat · 9:31 PM I was also informed to have surgery because of the enlarged prostrate . It changes things, when the prostate is larger than usual.
Mark WV sent a chat · 9:34 PM Sorry have to go. good night
Genomic Risk Classifiers: Similar, but Not the Same
Genomic Risk Classifiers, or GRCs, are lab tests performed on prostate biopsy or surgical tissue to estimate how aggressive your specific cancer may be. A relatively recent addition to prostate cancer care, their use has grown from virtually none to nearly one in five diagnosed cases over the past decade. The three most common tests are Decipher, Prolaris, and Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score (GPS).
These tests don’t replace standard measures such as Gleason score, PSA, or imaging results, but they give doctors an additional layer of information to help guide treatment planning. Depending on the result, a GRC may influence key decisions such as whether active surveillance is appropriate, whether to add hormone therapy (ADT) to radiation, or whether to recommend post-surgery radiation.
Although the tests share a similar goal—to clarify how risky a given cancer might be—they analyze different sets of genes and use different scoring systems. There’s currently no universal standard for comparing one test to another, and few long-term studies show whether using them improves survival or quality of life. Still, real-world data offer some interesting insights.
Patients who received Prolaris testing were the most likely to go on to surgery. Those who had Decipher were more likely to receive radiation combined with hormone therapy. Men who had Oncotype DX were the most likely to choose active surveillance. Overall, men who underwent any GRC test were about twice as likely to select active surveillance rather than immediate radical treatment. Among those who did pursue treatment, GRC-tested patients tended to choose radiation more often than surgery.
GRC results are also beginning to shape decisions about focal therapy, an approach that targets only part of the prostate. Studies suggest that men with higher genomic risk scores are less likely to be good candidates for this type of limited treatment because of higher recurrence rates.
Despite their promise, GRCs have limitations. They can be expensive, and insurance coverage is inconsistent. Because each test measures different biological features, results can occasionally conflict or add uncertainty rather than resolve it. And while the tests can better predict the likelihood of progression, they don’t guarantee what will happen in any individual case.
The takeaway: GRCs are useful tools that can help tailor prostate cancer care more precisely to your situation. But they should be viewed as one piece of the puzzle—complementing, not replacing, established clinical factors and your doctor’s judgment. Used wisely, they can support more confident, individualized treatment choices.
-Stuart Jordan
For more information or questions, please contact stuart@ancan.org.
Cancer Patient Lab: Beyond Single-Gene Mutations: Using Polygenic Risk Scores to Improve Cancer Prevention
Wednesday, October 29th @ Noon Eastern with Giordano Botta, PhD. Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) are tests familiar to many diagnosed with prostate cancer that allow you to assess the aggressiveness of your disease. Perhaps more familiar as Decipher, Prolaris, or Oncotype Dx, they are becoming standard tools for risk assessment.
NEW monthy GAY & BISEXUAL MEN’S Prostate Cancer Group starting Tue, Oct 21, 5.30 pm Eastern.
Sign up at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
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 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: One Gent rechallenges Pluvicto… another follows rechallenge with a ‘triplet’.
Topics Discussed
Addressing recurrence after focal tx (IRE) 10 yrs ago; new GU MO in northern New Jersey; how much adjuvant doublet HT is needed; another treatment line with triplet… abi+carbo+docetaxel; blood thinners; rechallenging Pluvicto is largely well tolerated; look at blood count numbers as a whole; nutrition… how about chicken?; how far ahead of RT should adjuvant HT start?
Steve L sent: 6:25 PM I was recently taken off Eliquis and but back on 81mg aspirin.
Jim Marshall, Veteran, Alexandria, VA sent: 6:26 PM Abi can affect the QT & QTc elongation time which I have when I get a EKG. Am also on Pradaxa for AFib. Pradaxa =. Dabigatran Etexilate
Jim Marshall, Veteran, Alexandria, VA sent: 6:38 PM Hey Jersey Mike has TUNA Subs!!!!
Jeff Marchi – San Francisco sent: 6:44 PM peter Kafka had 2 pluvicto treatments and his PSA went to .04 after a lot of hot spots in a PSMA pet. stopped at 2 sessions it was so successful
Julian – Houston sent: 6:45 PM Another wonderful conversation! Good Night all!!!
Bruce Schrimpf sent: 6:48 PM Great meeting! Thanks to all!
AnCan–John A sent: 6:57 PM Anticancer Lifestyle website has nutrition information I think is reliable. https://anticancerlifestyle.org/
Jeff Marchi – San Francisco sent: 6:59 PM chicken articles from National Cancer institute and NIH
Richard B, Silver Spring, MD sent: 7:02 PM I need to step away for the evening. Thanks to everyone for their insightful commentary it was beneficial . Take care
Bruce Schrimpf sent: 7:06 PM I have gotten all sorts of information about chicken and chicken eggs. It has more to do with how the chicken is grown and prepared. I eat my eggs poached, never fried. I eat my chicken baked and hopefully raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. I love fried and broasted (pressurized deep frying) but almost ever eat it. BDS
Alfredo in Wimberley sent: 7:09 PM Thank You. and Good Night!
NEW monthly GAY & BISEXUAL MEN’s Prostate Cancer Group starting Tue, Oct 14. Sign up at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
WELCOME all to our newly recorded Low/Intermediate Prostate Cancer Group. To receive notice when new recordings are posted, either follow us on this YouTube Channel or sign up to our Blog via https://ancan.org/contact-us/ – check New Blog box.
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussions 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
AnCan’s Prostate Cancer Forum is back (https://ancan.org/forums). If you’d like to comment on anything you see in our Recordings or read in our Reminders, just sign up and go right ahead. You can also click on the Forum icon at the top right of the webpage.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: Suitability of focal therapy treatments. (bj)
Topics Discussed Choosing a treatment option when comorbidities exist; suitability of focal therapy treatments; understanding MRI results; interpretation of prostate needle biopsies and the relevance of Pi-RADS scores; importance of getting a second opinion on biopsy results; when active surveillance is the better choice; you are your best patient advocate.
Chat Log
AnCan – Stuart · 7:54 PM
Dr. Ming Zhou – Mt Sinai Health System, Email: Ming.zhou@mountsinai.org,Telephone: (212)241-8881
Dr. Jonathan Epstein – https://advanceduropathology.com/, Tel:516-760-2037jepstein@imppllc.com,
Bill (VA) · 8:39 PM
5 heart surgeries?
AnCan – rick · 8:39 PM
Not from a PrCa standpoint Bill
AnCan – rick · 8:49 PM
Nick – we cut you off becasue speaking about being high risk to identify acancer is irrelevant once you’ve had a positive biopsy. They would not consider him to be high risk based on his PiRads score.
AnCan – rick · 8:54 PM
I suspect UoC didn’t know it had been discontinued when they booked teh appointment.
Gay or bisexual men diagnosed with prostate cancer have particular concerns. Addressing them with your peers is far easier!
AnCan Foundation, the innovator of virtual support groups, addresses special interests in special groups. We gather peers who easily relate and can support each other. Moderated by Gay & Bisexual peers with prostate cancer, this group addresses your specific questions. Our moderators are both technically expert and supportive. The group is open to all levels of prostate cancer, no matter where you are in your journey. AnCan offers specific prostate cancer groups at all levels. This group will focus on gay and bisexual issues less comfortable to raise in open groups rather than treatment questions.
This is a make-up meeting; moving forward, meetings will be on the 2nd Tuesdays of every month at 5:30 pm Eastern/4:30 pm Central/3:30 pm Mountain/2:30 pm Pacific, always in the AnCan Schmier Room.
Meetings are free and drop-in – no sign-up or pre-registration required. Sign up to receive a Reminder before each meeting at https://ancan.org/contact-us/. Other virtual AnCan Groups include stage-based prostate cancer, art and creative writing classes, Veterans programs, and mental health support.
AnCan Foundation dedicates this group in loving memory of Ken Mason
