blog

New developments in the fight against prostate cancer have revolutionized treatments in the last five years. It was only four years ago that scientists discovered cancer cells could produce their own hormones, sometimes overriding medication. A drug called abiraterone has now been developed to remedy the situation. Meanwhile, equally new immunotherapy is also proving effective against metastatic prostate cancer, increasing life expectancy by months; hopefully even years.

“It’s a very different world than it was in 2005,” says Dr. Rob Bristow from Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, “and it’s going to be even more different five years from now.” Bristow is the principal lead of the International Cancer Genome Consortium, a study led by Canada but also involving German, French and British scientists. Their goal is to sequence the prostate’s genetic code and determine which prostate cancers are aggressive and which are not, and which will respond best to surgery or to radiotherapy or are best left alone. “Using genetics to come up with personalized treatments for individual patients – that’s the holy grail,”says Bristow. “We believe we can do it the next five years and then develop a simple test that can be readily utilized by any hospital in the world. The money raised by Harry Rosen’s Spring Run Off is a direct help in this. It’s driving our research forward in literally half the time.”

Good to know that the thousands who take part in our runs are makling a worldwide difference! Find out more about the latest developments in prostate cancer research at www.prostatecancer.com.

Until September 17, 2011, "LIKE" Harry Rosen's Facebook page and we'll donate $1 to help fund prostate cancer research. Please spread the word and help us raise some money for this important cause. www.facebook.com/harryrosencanada