British Columbia Foundation for Prostate Disease   A Glossary of Canadian Organizations in the Prostate Cancer Field

 

This glossary was prepared by Ivan MacFarlane past Foundation Secretary and member of the Vancouver PSA group

 

This lists those many organizations in Canada with a primary or major interest in prostate cancer. In the main, the descriptions of their activities are taken from their own statement of purpose  

 

 Prostate Support and Awareness Groups

 Prostate cancer patients and survivors in volunteer groups with a  mission  to create an awareness of prostate cancer and to provide support and    education to men who have the disease. There are approximately ten support groups in the BC Lower Mainland and thirty in the province. The Vancouver Advanced Prostate Cancer Support Group is for men with an advanced stage of prostate cancer.

 

British Columbia Foundation for Prostate Disease “dedicated to finding a cure for prostate cancer.”    www.bcprostatecancer.org          

A prostate cancer survivor organization that promotes prostate health and prostate cancer awareness, encourages the establishment and growth of prostate cancer support groups, and supports research dedicated to improve treatment and to finding a cure for prostate cancer. The primary fund raising event is the “Do-It-For-Dad” run/walk held in June of each year. These funds are used to support the objectives of the organization.

 

Prostate Centre at the Vancouver General Hospital       www.prostatecentre.com

One of the four major goals of the Centre is to provide a focus for research into prostate cancer in order to develop a better understanding of the disease and to develop better diagnosis and treatment methods.  (est. 1998)

 

B.C. Cancer Agency (BCCA)             www.bccancer.bc.ca/

A provincial crown agency (under the Provincial Health Services Authority) which provides cancer care for the people of B.C., including prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment services, support programs, community programs, research and education.

 

B.C. Cancer Foundation (Vancouver)      www.bccancerfoundation.com

This Foundation is an independent charitable organization that raises and stewards resources to support breakthrough research and compassionate care through the B.C. Cancer Agency.

 

Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), B.C. & Yukon Division          www.bc.cancer.ca

A national community-based fund raising organization of volunteers, whose mission is the eradication of cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. The funds raised are directed to research through the National Cancer Institute of Canada and to provide a variety of support services to patients and the general public about cancer (e.g. the Cancer Information Line at 1-888-939-3333).

 

Vancouver Island Prostate Cancer Research Foundation (Victoria)  www.viprostate.org

A non-profit organization devoted to promote prostate health and awareness, prostate cancer support groups for patients and their families and to promote research into life enhancing treatments and an eventual cure.

 

Canadian Prostate Cancer Network (CPCN)     www.cpcn.org

A national volunteer organization whose mandate is to: help local groups to provide support to men and their families, offer first-hand advice on a variety of prostate cancer related problems through the internet and publications, work to promote awareness of prostate cancer, and lobby for research funds that will lead to a cure. Through the CPCN, local support groups in Canada can direct issues of national interest on cancer. It is the national voice of local groups that lobbies Health Canada on behalf of all prostate cancer patients.

 

Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada (Toronto)         www.prostatecancer.ca

A fund-raising foundation that seeks to provide funding for research into the causes, cure and prevention that will lead to the elimination of prostate cancer.

 

Canadian Prostate Health Council (CPHC)         www.canadian-prostate.com/

Its mission is to create awareness; stimulate interest; gather, assess and disseminate knowledge on diseases of the prostate, current and innovative therapies, the consequences of untreated disease and the differential diagnosis of benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and other diseases of the prostate.

 

Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Initiative (CPCRI)   www.prostateresearch.ca

An alliance comprised of representatives of Health Canada, the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC), the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), and the Canadian Prostate Cancer Network (CPCN). Its goals are to stimulate new efforts in prostate cancer research across Canada and to strengthen existing prostate cancer efforts.  CPCRI’s major emphasis is on strategic initiatives to fill gaps, build capacity in important research areas, and to respond to unique opportunities.     

 

 

 

VPSAG

August, 2003