Prostate Cancer Support Group
The Prostate Cancer Support Group Montreal West and Island are celebrating our 30th year helping men and their loved ones manage the many challenges of a new diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Our goal as a support group is simply to offer education, awareness and support through a wide range of community functions, monthly presentations, peer to peer support groups and our website. The information we share about prostate cancer is gathered from reliable sources and from men who have been living with prostate cancer. We collaborate with local organizations such as the MUHC and CHUM hospitals, the Canadian Cancer Society, urologists, oncologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists and alternative therapies providing a wide variety of options of information and support.
Prostate cancer is often viewed as a ‘good’ cancer to have because it is easily treatable if caught in time. One has to only think about the lead singer for Les Cowboys Fringants, Karl Tremblay, who died last November at 47, originally diagnosed with prostate cancer at 44. This atypical outcome is more common than we think underlining the importance of having a PSA blood test yearly after reaching 50 years of age. Families with a history of breast, prostate or ovarian cancer are recommended to begin testing at age 40. There is about a 20% hereditary factor associated with prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. However, this cancer is not a death sentence. We have in our group a fellow who is in his 90s and has lived with prostate cancer for over 30 years. Another man had a prostatectomy over 20 years ago and has had no further treatments. These cases are the norm in our group. In most cases of prostate cancer early detection is the key to a successful outcome.
Support groups play an important role in helping you make better treatment decisions and stay emotionally supported throughout your cancer journey. For many men, when they hear the word ‘cancer’ in the doctor’s office, it can initially be quite traumatic and even confusing. Sharing our experiences with men in an open and frank discussion has given many the courage to accept and face their cancer diagnosis. It has allowed them the opportunity to make clear and concise treatment decisions, often resulting in a realistic and comforting experience that without the group may have not had the same positive outcome.
It is important to note that we are not doctors, we do not give out medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
We meet nine times a year excluding July, August and December for presentations and peer to peer conversations. Since the Pandemic we have started to have meeting using video conferencing (Zoom) which allows you the reader of this article to join us anywhere in the Sherbrooke area or for that matter anywhere in Quebec.
Watch for our advertisement in the Record, we will have a radiation oncologist make a presentation on Thursday, June 27 as well as having a chance to ask questions which we call
Ask the Doctor.
We have a 24-hour help line; 514 694-6412 which we encourage you to use. We can be reached at: pcsg.mtlwi@gmail.com or https:// pcsgmontrealwestisland.org/ We are affiliated with support groups across Canada through the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada; their very useful web address is https:// prostatecanada.ca