Us
-Too! Brampton General Meeting
Mar 13, 2007
A
'state-of-the-art'
presentation:
"Prostate Cancer and
Cellular Repair-
The new LEGEND program
at Princess Margaret Hospital"
by Dr. Robert Bristow
Dr.
Bristow's talk was attended by an eager audience of around
80 members, wives, guests and some first timers.
In this informative talk, Dr.
Robert Bristow reviewed the state of current and future testing
and the direction that research, in the form of the new Legend
Program at PMH, is playing
in determining the best forms of treatment for different individuals.
This research and the
development of these new tests may help us understand who
is at risk for prostate cancer
based on the presence of low oxygen levels in the prostate
and faulty cellular DNA repair
mechanisms. The ultimate goal of the new Legend Program at
Princess Margaret Hospital
is to provide the best treatment for a specific patient with
minimal side effects.
Dr. Bristow discussed how DNA
and chromosomes are damaged by day to day insults and
how they are normally repaired by our cells as well as how
prostate cancer may develop
because of faulty cellular repair which allows for the growth
of mutant cells and the
development of cancer. He demonstrated the connection between
low oxygen levels within
the prostate and the accelerated development of prostate cancer.
Dr. Bristow described the development
of new therapies that target aggressive repair-deficient
cancer cells. He also described how CT scans during radiation
treatments help focus treatment
directly on the affected areas of the prostate gland. Further
research at Princess Margaret has
also found a link between hormone therapy and improved radiation
therapy results. It seems that
Casodex actually helps improve the oxygenation levels of the
prostate, making it more responsive
to radiation therapy.
Dr. Bristow’s talk was both an
informative and uplifting look into the world of prostate
cancer research.
The
"Dream is Alive", were words we used to describe Dr. Bristow's
last talk (Nov 03) to our group.
Listening to this - his latest presentation, and a sequel,
on the pursuit of that dream - one could be more
hopeful that at some point in the future Prostate Cancer might
become manageable on 'a-pill-a-day' basis.
After his talk Dr. Bristow
spent some time answering questions and talking to the group
about the new “Crusin For A Cure Canada”
event.
He was subsequently instrumental in prompting a follow-up
meeting with Princess Margaret
Hospital staff to determine what level of support they may
be able to provide us.
About Dr. Bristow:
Dr. Bristow has a brilliant
background with degrees, cholarships, awards, research, positions
and
publications too numerous to list here. He is involved across
a vast scope of research activities and
programs both provincially and at international levels.
Amongst the key positions he holds currently are:
* Clinician-Scientist, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess
Margaret Hospital (University Health Network)
* Associate Professor, Depts. Radiation Oncology and Medical
Biophysics, University of Toronto
*Director, Core I-STTARR and LEGEND Labs Canadian Cancer Society
Research Scientist
* Chair, Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee, Prostate
Cancer Research Foundation of Canada (PCRFC)
* Chair, Biomarkers Planning Committee, Canadian Prostate
Cancer Research Initiative (CPCRI)
* Full Member, Institute of Medical
Science (IMS), University of Toronto
AUDIO
& SLIDES DOWNLOADS
AUDIO:
Track 01: Intro
- Dr. Bristow
[http://www.ustoo-brampton.com/Audiostreams/Bristow07/intro.rm]
[156 Kbytes, Talk time: 00:00:38]
Down load times:
Approx.: 1 Min. (56KBaud)
Approx.: 10 secs. (384KBaud)
Track 02: Dr.
Bristow's Talk - Part 1
[http://www.ustoo-brampton.com/Audiostreams/Bristow07/Talk_part1.rm]
[10. 3 Mbytes, Talk time: 00:44:27]
Down load times:
Approx.: 25Mins. (56KBaud)
Approx.: 4 Mins. (384KBaud)
Track 02: Dr.
Bristow's Talk - Part 2
[http://www.ustoo-brampton.com/Audiostreams/Bristow07/Talk_part2.rm]
[5.7 Mbytes, Talk time: 00:24:23]
Down load times:
Approx.: 12Mins. (56KBaud)
Approx.: 2 Mins. (384KBaud)
Track 02: Q&
A Session
[http://www.ustoo-brampton.com/Audiostreams/Bristow07/Q_A.rm]
[2.6 Mbytes, Talk time: 00:11:06]
Down load times:
Approx.: 6 Mins. (56KBaud)
Approx.: 1 Min. (384KBaud)
SLIDES:
Dr.
Bristow's Presentation slides
[http://www.ustoo-brampton.com/bristow07/legendprogram.pdf]
[Acrobat File, Size:
2.06 Mbytes, Pages: 48]
Our thanks
to Dr. Bristow for both his valuable time
and for supporting of our cause.