Hello everyone,
I hope you have all been having a wonderful summer so far!
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and we are excited to bring you a wonderful seminar series featuring speakers with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise related to prostate cancer.
I have attached a PDF with an overview of the speakers. I am also providing additional information below about each speaker, their presentation topics, descriptions, and registration links.
1) Christina Dzieduszycki
Biography: Christina Dzieduszycki, PT, is a pelvic floor physiotherapist, health coach, and speaker/educator at New Life Physiotherapy. She specializes in pelvic health and is passionate about providing education and support to help individuals better understand and manage their health and well-being. Through her work as a physiotherapist and educator, Christina aims to empower patients with practical knowledge and tools throughout their healthcare journey.
Topic: Moving from Kegels to HEgels: A New Approach to Men's Pelvic Health
Description: Many men are told to "just do Kegels," yet continue to struggle with bladder control and sexual function after prostate cancer treatment. This session introduces the evidence-informed HEgel™ Method, helping you better understand your pelvic floor and learn practical strategies to improve continence, confidence, recovery, and overall quality of life.
Registration link:
https://ca01web.zoom.us/
https://ca01web.zoom.us/
Date and time: September 4th, 3-5pm PST
2) Alan Birch
Biography: Alan Birch is the Director of Oncology at Sentrex Health. He has 15 years of experience working in cancer care. He is the former Drug Access Navigator at North York General Hospital in Toronto and Founder of Drug Access Canada at drugaccess.ca. In 2021, Alan joined Sentrex Health Solutions, where he provides leadership and oversight for their national portfolio of oncology patient support programs.
Title: Oncology Patient Support Programs
Description: This presentation introduces Sentrex Health Solutions' Haven Urology Patient Support Program and explains how Patient Support Programs (PSPs) help patients access prostate cancer treatments through education, reimbursement support, financial assistance, drug access navigation, and clinical pharmacy services.
Registration link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/
Date and time: September 8th from 3-4pm PST
3) Dr. Akshay Jain (Endocrinologist)
Biography: Dr. Akshay Jain is a Clinical Endocrinologist and Medical Director for Research at Unity Healthcare in British Columbia. He is also a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Jain has extensive experience in endocrinology and is actively involved in clinical research and medical education. He is committed to advancing patient care through research, education, and evidence-based clinical practice.
Title: Navigating Bone Health During Prostate Cancer Treatment
Description: This presentation will explore how prostate cancer and its treatments can impact bone density and strength. Endocrinologist Dr. Akshay Jain will provide patients and families with practical knowledge on preserving bone strength, the role of bone-targeted therapies, and the importance of timely monitoring.
Registration link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/
Date and time: September 18th from 4-4:45pm PST
4) Dr. Connor Wells (Medical Oncologist) and Gabriel Su (Registered Nurse)
Topic: A brief overview of the current treatment landscape for metastatic prostate cancer
Description: This seminar is being presented by Dr. John Wells and Gabriel Su (RN).
The objectives of this presentation are:
1)To understand the various treatments approved for metastatic prostate cancer
2)To appreciate the differences in treatment effectiveness and side effects
Biography:
1) Dr. John Wells is a medical oncologist at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary, with specialized training in clinical trials and genitourinary and gastrointestinal cancers. He completed his medical oncology residency at BC Cancer in Vancouver, followed by a clinical trials fellowship at Barts Cancer Institute in London.
2) Gabriel Su is a Registered Nurse with experience in outpatient oncology. He currently works with Dr. Wells in outpatient oncology, where he supports patients through their cancer treatment journey, including assessment, education, symptom management, and care coordination. Gabriel has a particular interest in prostate cancer and is passionate about helping patients better understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and the resources available to support them throughout their care
Registration link:
Date and time: September 22nd from 3-5pm PST
5) For September 24th the details of the presentation are:
Topic: What's next in prostate cancer? Upcoming treatments and clinical trials for metastatic prostate cancer
Description: This seminar is being presented by Dr. John Wells
The objectives of this presentation are:
1)To gain insight into new and upcoming treatments currently in clinical trials
2)To understand the process of participating in a clinical trial
Biography: Dr. John Wells is a medical oncologist at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary, with specialized training in clinical trials and genitourinary and gastrointestinal cancers. He completed his medical oncology residency at BC Cancer in Vancouver, followed by a clinical trials fellowship at Barts Cancer Institute in London.
Registration link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/
Date and Time: September 24th from 3-5pm PST
6) Kristen Anderson
Title: When Sex Changes: A Practical Guide to Intimacy and Sexual Recovery for Men and Their Partners; Before, during and after prostate cancer treatment
Brief description:
Prostate cancer and its treatment can change desire, erections, orgasm, ejaculation, body confidence and the way partners connect. But changes in sexual function do not have to mean the end of intimacy or a satisfying sex life.
Join sexual health coach Kristen Anderson, MA, MBSR, for a practical, compassionate conversation about navigating these changes, expanding the definition of intimacy and discovering new possibilities for connection and pleasure.
Registration link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/
Date and time: September 28th from 4-5 pm PST
For Kristen’s seminar, participants also have the option to submit their questions in advance through a Google Form. Please feel free to share the link below with anyone who may wish to submit a question: https://forms.gle/
7) For the September 30 seminar:
Title: Prostate Cancer Across Diverse Communities: Perspectives, Experiences & Navigating the Journey
Description:
This seminar brings together voices from Asian, South Asian, and Black communities to share their experiences of navigating prostate cancer. Speakers will discuss the cultural, social, and personal factors that can shape the cancer journey, from diagnosis and treatment to accessing support and care. The session aims to foster greater understanding, awareness, and dialogue around prostate cancer across diverse communities.
This seminar brings together voices from Asian, South Asian, and Black communities to share their experiences of navigating prostate cancer. Speakers will discuss the cultural, social, and personal factors that can shape the cancer journey, from diagnosis and treatment to accessing support and care. The session aims to foster greater understanding, awareness, and dialogue around prostate cancer across diverse communities.
Speakers: William Yung, Keith Berganza, and Tracy Reece
Registration link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/
We encourage everyone to please share these seminar opportunities with your Support Group members and encourage them to register and participate. These sessions cover a wide range of topics and perspectives that we hope will be valuable to patients, families, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about prostate cancer.
Please feel free to share the registration links with your networks as well.
Thank you all for your continued support, and we hope to see many of you at the seminars throughout September!
Best regards,
Nitasha
Nitasha
Nitasha Nair, Support Services Coordinator (MSc.)
#107-17825 64th Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 1Z3 Canada
nitasha@prostatecanada.ca | prostatecanada.ca
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