Canadian Cancer Survivor Network launches a Family Affair: Prostate Cancer Family and Caregiver Portal

Online resource recognizes unique family and caregiver experience of prostate cancer

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2014 For those dealing with prostate cancer, the journey from diagnosis to treatment and management of the disease is rarely a road travelled alone. Spouses, partners, children, extended family, friends and even colleagues may share in the burden of this life-changing disease.

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) recognizes the heavy burden a diagnosis of prostate cancer places not only on the men who are diagnosed with it, but on their families and extended support networks. In response, CCSN is proud to announce the launch of A Family Affair: Prostate Cancer Family and Caregiver Portal, an online portal recognizing and addressing the experience of prostate cancer, whether in its early or more advanced stages, as a family affair http://survivornet.ca/en/cancer_basics/prostate_cancer_family_affair_portal.

"It is critically important to address the information needs and concerns of a man's support network," says Jackie Manthorne, President and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. "Each man will have their own experience of prostate cancer. Aside from purely medical considerations, the journey includes many practical decisions and adjustments. Each of these changes has the potential to impact those closest to him. Providing families and other caregivers a place to find reliable information they can relate to, and a place to connect, can help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with a prostate cancer diagnosis."

About the Portal

The Prostate Cancer Family and Caregiver Portal provides a trusted and accurate source of prostate cancer information – and connection. Like the spokes of a wheel, sections on the portal centralize information on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, provide information and resources on financial planning and address the issues that wives and partners face, but may be embarrassed or reluctant to articulate.

"Being diagnosed with prostate cancer was an overwhelming experience for my family and me," says Derek Lawrence. "At first, we weren't sure where to turn for information and support, and felt a bit lost in the shuffle. Thanks to the efforts of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, men like me, and our families, now have access to important resources. The new portal provides relevant and easy-to-interpret information to help support us as we learn to cope with our disease and continue fighting. It also allows us to connect with others going through the same difficulties; to know we aren't alone."

The portal also includes:

• Information for wives, partners and adult children as caregivers
• Details on caregiving for advanced prostate cancer
• Financial information and resources
• Prostate cancer organizations and news

Social media platforms including a prostate cancer Twitter account, @prostatepost, a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/prostatepost and a community blog http://prostatepost.blogspot.ca/ have also been set up to encourage sharing and learning through conversation, storytelling and information transfer.

The portal was funded through an unrestricted educational grant from Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. and Janssen Inc.

About Prostate Cancer in Canada

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men.ⁱ

It is estimated that in 2014:

• 23,600 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• 4,000 men will die from prostate cancer.
• On average, 65 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.
• On average, 11 Canadian men will die from prostate cancer every day. ⁱⁱ

The chance of getting prostate cancer rises quickly after a man reaches age 50, and almost two out of three prostate cancers are found in men over 65.ⁱⁱⁱ  Age is the most important risk factor for prostate cancer.^iv

About Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN)

CCSN is an organization committed to developing public policy on cancer issues and increasing advocacy for optimal cancer care and follow-up. CCSN works to connect patients, survivors and other stakeholder groups with decision makers and the wider community to engage in discussion and to act on evidence-based best practices to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial and social costs of cancer and encourage research on ways to overcome barriers to optimal cancer care and follow-up for survivors in Canada.

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ⁱ Canadian Cancer Society website http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/prostate/statistics/?region=on Accessed September 2014
ⁱⁱ Canadian Cancer Society website http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/prostate/statistics/?region=on Accessed September 2014
ⁱⁱⁱ Prostate Cancer Canada website http://www.prostatecancer.ca/getmedia/4758c00d-0a60-4724-98fd-7858b99fa5e2/303_A-Brochure_English.pdf.aspx Accessed September 2014
^iv Prostate Cancer Canada website http://www.prostatecancer.ca/getmedia/4758c00d-0a60-4724-98fd-7858b99fa5e2/303_A-Brochure_English.pdf.aspx Accessed September 2014

SOURCE: Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN)

For further information: or to schedule an interview, please contact: Allison Goodman, energi PR, 416-425-9143 x18, [e-mail]; Jackie Manthorne, Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, 613-898-1871, [e-mail]