Prostate Cancer Canada Network

In The News

Well-Done Meat Consumption May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk
Research into the dietary habits of about a thousand men from the Cleveland area has found that a high consumption of meats, especially of red meat prepared by grilling, is positively associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. This particular study, which was led by Dr. John Witte of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), has a number of limitations, but it does add support to other investigations connecting meat consumption with cancer risk.

Toronto researchers speculate regarding a link between prostate cancer and oral contraceptive use
Very preliminary and speculative research, designed to spark further inquires, suggests that there may be a connection between oral contraceptive use and rising rates of prostate cancer. One theory is that the widespread use of birth-control pills in various populations may result in a higher level of estrogen in the environment, which might, in turn, increase prostate cancer risk.

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Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a promising new technique that enables surgeons to remove the prostate gland without making a large incision. A laparoscope is inserted through the navel, which provides surgeons with a lighted and magnified view of a man's abdominal area. Then, microsurgical instruments are inserted through four or five other small incisions made on each side of the abdomen. Through these incisions, surgeons remove the prostate, sometimes using robotics to assist them.

The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are that it requires a shorter hospital stay than open surgery, usually about two nights, and that recovery is generally faster. Also, blood loss is reduced as is post-operative pain.

The disadvantages are related to the newness of the technique. Surgeons and hospitals may be relatively inexperienced in laparoscopic surgery when compared to traditional surgery, and this procedure may be available only in select medical centres. More important, information on the long-term efficacy of this surgery is not yet available. Another possible limitation is that this method may be less effective than open prostatectomy when it comes to removing lymph nodes to assess cancer spread.

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