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!
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, March 11th, 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.
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:
Michael 8:17 PM
I’m good, I have to drop off at five for work. Just got interrupted once so I may drop off before 5.
Eric- Atlanta 8:20 PM
TP with MRI Fusion list: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/List-of-some-current-platforms-for-MRI-ultrasound-fusion-biopsy_tbl3_379682364
Eric- Atlanta 8:23 PM
ExactVU finder: https://www.exactimaging.com/physician-finder
AnCan – Rick 8:30 PM
29 Neither DRE nor bicycle riding appreciably alters the PSA,30, 31 and most controlled studies evaluating ejaculation suggest it either does not significantly impact or modestly increases (~10%) PSA.32
AnCan – Rick 8:32 PM
(30) Crawford ED, Schutz MJ, Clejan S et al: The effect of digital rectal examination on prostate-specific antigen levels. JAMA 1992; 267: 2227 (31) Jiandani D, Randhawa A, Brown RE et al: The effect of bicycling on psa levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2015; 18: 208 (32) Tarhan F, Demir K, Orcun A and Madenci OC: Effect of ejaculation on serum prostate-specific antigen concentration. Int Braz J Urol 2016; 42: 472
AnCan – Dan 8:34 PM
https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/oncology-guidelines/prostate-cancer
Eric- Atlanta 8:35 PM
Current NCCN Guidelines:https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/prostate-early-patient.pdf
AnCan – Dan 8:40 PM
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/can-getting-a-biopsy-make-cancer-spread.html
AnCan – Rick 8:41 PM
Cancer PEP https://cancerpep.com/
AnCan – Dan 8:43 PM
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814235/
Eric- Atlanta 8:59 PM
Re NCCN: I could not find any NCCN preparation procedures for PSA test on their link from above.
AnCan – Rick 9:03 PM
the patient-centric guidelines that Eric posted are ‘dumbed down’ for our consumption. The actual guidelines are what dan gifford provided.
AnCan – Rick 9:13 PM
Should also point out that what Eric posted are NCCN. What we’re speaking about are the AUA Guidelines.
Dan Pertschuk-San Diego 9:23 PM
It’s said that we all live two lives and the second life begins when we realize we only have one.
Eric- Atlanta 9:33 PM
“Who is Eligible for PCPEP PC-PEP is being offered as part of a research study to men who have had a prostate cancer diagnosis and meet the following criteria: Are safe to exercise and do strength training Have access to email and internet daily Are able to watch videos and willing to follow the program for 6 months Have a life expectancy of 2 years or more Willing to take 4 on-line surveys over two years as part of the trial”
Marty Keough Auburn NY 9:36 PM
Sorry I could not get my camera to show me or audio to speak to you! Thanks for what You All Do! Marty Keough
2. NIH 2nd Opinion MRI (no fees)
Choyke, Peter (NIH/NCI) Radiologist (pchoyke@mail.nih.gov)
3. 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
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.
As some of you may know, the liberal telehealth rules to conduct medical appointments remotely that were enabled during Covid, sunsetted late last year. AnCan was upset and vocal that many of our patient advocacy organizations active on The Hill did not campaign more widely to extend it. Organizations like ZERO (prostate cancer) have significant and expensive government relations groups precisely to address such issues on behalf of us patients. AnCan had to bring it to ZERO’s attention to move the ball at a time when ZERO’s high paid CEO was self-admittedly sleeping on the switch.
Telehealth was temporarily extended for those living in rural areas. Then one of our newly minted prostate cancer Moderators, David Sharpe, brought it to AnCan’s attention that legislation was passed on Feb 3, 2026 that has extended comprehensive telehealth through the end of 2027. We asked David to blog its welcome return to wider availability and tell his story around telehealth – thank you Mr. Sharpe!
Medicare Telehealth Coverage Is Extended
The federal government has restored Medicare coverage for telehealth until the end of 2027. That means you can now possibly consult with your doctors online rather than having to meet with them in-person.
Why did I say possibly? Because state medical licensing laws still apply. Often, they can undermine your doctor’s ability to join you on the call. Here’s why: (Don’t construe the following comments as legal or medical advice. This is general information only.)
Telehealth consultations are easiest to arrange when a patient and doctor are in the same state. For instance, if you live in Springfield, Illinois, and want to have a virtual chat with an oncologist in Chicago, no legal impediments are likely to stand in your way.
Things can get tougher if the doctor practices in another state. Physicians are typically required to be licensed in the state where the patient is physically located during the consult. Therein lies a common problem: the doctor is licensed in one state, and you’re in another.
But loopholes exist. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP), “A few states have licenses or telehealth-specific exceptions that allow an out-of-state provider to render services via telemedicine in a state where they are not located, or allow a clinician to provide services via telehealth in a state if certain conditions are met (such as agreeing that they will not open an office in that state). Still other states have laws that don’t specifically address telehealth and/or telemedicine licensing, but make allowances for practicing in contiguous states. . . .” For specifics about your state’s rules, explore CCHP’s handy state-by-state guide: https://www.cchpca.org/topic/cross-state-licensing-professional-requirements/.
Despite those exceptions, many physicians and medical centers require patients to be in the same state as the doctor during telehealth appointments. I wish I’d known that last year, before trying to set up virtual consultations from my home in Portland, Oregon, with Fred Hutch (Washington), UCSF, City of Hope (both California), and MD Anderson (Texas0—all of whom turned me down. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU, Oregon)) would have refused, too, if I had been in any other state.
But some physicians and hospitals were more relaxed about it. Despite remaining in Portland, I wrangled a telehealth visit with a UCLA specialist. Two AnCan buddies of mine in Oregon and Arizona did so as well. I had even better luck with out-of-state doctors in community practices. Two agreed to confer with me online, and one declined.
If you live near—but not in—the state where your doctor practices, perhaps the easiest option is to make a run for the border. One AnCan member has adopted that strategy as a convenient means of communicating with his faraway medical team in an adjacent state while also satisfying the legal requirements. To have that meeting, he travels a few miles from home to a casino just across the state line; the casino lets him conduct telehealth consultations there. That approach shaves hours off what would otherwise be a protracted road trip to talk with his doctors face-to-face. # # #
