AnCan’s HiRisk/Recurrent/Adv PCa Group remembers Prof Bill .. and much more 10/15/19

AnCan’s HiRisk/Recurrent/Adv PCa Group remembers Prof Bill .. and much more 10/15/19

Tributes to Dr. William ‘Bill’ Burhans PhD https://ancan.org/professor-bill-r-i-p/ ; Medicare coverage for Foundation Medicine genomic sequencing tests; PARP-I niraparib gets FDA breakthrough status; is there a cure in sight for metastatic PCa?; is it worthwhile to genomically sequence Nx (lymphatic) disease?; starting enzalutamide/Xtandi; testosterone recovery post-ADT

On the topic of ‘curing’ metastatic prostate cancer above, two worthwhile articles appeared in my inbox today …. RB or Not RB – That is the Question from our good friend Dr. Charles Ryan. And “What Works for Breast Cancer Should Work for Prostate Cancer, Right?” by Dr. Evan Yu. Be assured there is ample excellent ongoing research aimed at allowing us to justifiably use the ‘C’ word!

High Risk/Recurrent/Advanced Prostate Cancer Virtual Group recording – 10/7/19

High Risk/Recurrent/Advanced Men and Caregivers

This group is for men with complex disease either at diagnosis, or whose disease has recurred with or without evidence of metastasis. With men who have experienced the gamut of treatments, we discuss status, as well as new developments in treatment and technology. New participants are given priority to discuss their situation.


1st & 3rd Mondays of every month at 8pm EST/EDT (US)

2nd & 4th Tuesdays of every month at 6pm EST/EDT (US)

5th Monday Webinar – Dr. Larry Fong Explains Immuno-Oncology – Mon, Sept 30, 8pm EDT

5th Monday Webinar – Dr. Larry Fong Explains Immuno-Oncology – Mon, Sept 30, 8pm EDT

AnCan Webinar

DR. LARRY FONG EXPLAINS IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY

To replay the webinar presentation, please click here. We recommend you download the Presentation Slide Deck to follow along – FongAnCan9-2019

AnCan is excited to host one of the World’s leading cancer immunologists, Professor Dr. Larry Fong . Not just a leading researcher in the field of immuno-oncology, AnCan’s good friend Larry is a highly compassionate genitourinary clinician who has treated several of our participants over many years. We are honored to have Larry as an Advisory Board Member,

Dr. Fong is the Co-Director and Medical Director the UCSF Cancer Immunotherapy Program, one of 5 Centers privileged to be part of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. While professionally he now has a pan-cancer focus, Larry’s sub-specialty is prostate cancer. He was the Principle Investigator for Sipileucel-T (Provenge) , the first therapeutic cancer vaccine to be  approved by the FDA back in 2010!

As you see above, Larry loves to smile – what a gift in the field of oncology! Not only does he smile often – he also has a great sense of humor. There’s a wonderful story behind this heart-warming pix with our dear, departed buddy, Jerry Carniglia – listen in to hear it! Amongst Jerry’s many talents, he was a collectible fine artist; this video, shown at a posthumous show at the Townsend Gallery on UC Berkeley campus, will make you smile and cry! Jerry’s Trust has donated some 18 enormous canvasses for display on rotation in the brand new Bakar Precision Medicine Building.

Dr. Fong will first explain the principles behind immuno-oncology in understandable terms with a pan cancer focus. He will then take questions on specific disease – BUT PLEASE keep your questions general rather than case specific.

Peer Support Fosters Lasting Friendships

Peer Support Fosters Lasting Friendships

Yet again, our Moderator Peter Kafka offers wise words from his group meting reminder that many of you will find true! Thank you Peter ….. 

All of us in the AnCan community are volunteers.  At this juncture none of us are paid to moderate our calls or assist others in navigation or advocacy with their cancer journey.  This might change at some point as finances permit and circumstances evolve, but for now we remain no less passionate or committed to our calling.   There are of course benefits to the work we do, and for me one of the great benefits I have come to know is new friendships.  The men and women I have come to know through this work in these past five years have made a great impact on my life.

Friendship is an interesting human cultural phenomenon.  It is often noted that women tend to form closer and longer lasting friendships than men.  Men can become “lone wolves” in society, particularly as we age and our boyhood friendships fall away.  It takes work and commitment to initiate and maintain friendships as we grow older and our life purposes change and evolve.

The notion that new and significant friendships can form in the autumnal days of our lives is a foreign concept to most men.  The idea that there are men who are committed to being of help to perfect strangers who are trying to find their way through the weeds of prostate cancer decisions can no doubt seem suspicious.  “What’s the catch?”  Simply put, there is no catch!  For some unknown reason this disease seems to have propelled quite a few of us into a place where we just want to help others as best we can.

I always look forward to these on-line/telephone AnCan meetings.  Even though most of us are separated by many miles and may never meet each other in person, strong bonds are sometimes formed and significant friendships result.  Maybe I should end this with a string of clichés; We are not ships passing in the night – but rather all in the same boat and pulling for each other.

We at AnCan through our online/telephone weekly support meetings and advocacy work hard as peers to provide whatever support and backup as we can in your journey with prostate cancer.  But we don’t claim to have all the answers.  We encourage you to share your experiences.  We learn from each other. Keep connected, information is power!   We are always there for you.