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LIVING WITH CANCER

Helpful Organizations

Below is a list of different professionals and organizations that you may contact for different kinds of services, ranging from documentation, financial and emotional support to lectures and other informative resources. Being well surrounded and getting the expertise to make informed decisions are two elements that are part of a good strategy for planning your life after a cancer diagnosis. 

Keeping in mind the lengthy approval time for support, any financial issue must be resolved first. You may also need a referral from your doctor, nurse or social worker to be eligible for certain services. Speak to your doctor and healthcare team for additional information.

And don’t forget that we are here for you, our expertise being established for prostate cancer. Feel free to contact us!

List of professionals outside the public healthcare network

  • Labor lawyer
  • Insurance lawyer
  • Personal banker
  • Accountant
  • Insurance advisor
  • Rehabilitation counselor
  • Orientation counselor
  • Ergonomist
  • Tax expert
  • Notary
  • Bereavement specialist
  • Social reintegration specialist

List of professionals within the public healthcare network

  • Specialist doctors
  • General practitioners
  • CLSC nurses
  • Oncology nurses
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologist
  • Sexologist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Kinesiologist
  • Massage therapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Nutritionist
  • Social Worker
  • Pharmacist

If necessary, some organizations can guide you or accompany you during the more difficult times and decision-making process.

Community Organizations

Quebec resources and references

Canadian resources and references

Support Groups

Hotlines and support groups

Medical Associations

Associations and Orders

Government Agencies

Provincial and Federal

Reimbursed medications and your rights

Support for Spouses | Caregivers

Provincial and Federal

Health and wellbeing

Useful publications and links for cancer patients

Nutrition and exercices

Help – Incontinence

Help – Erectile dysfonction

Gynecomastia – Men’s compression clothing

When distress persists

Suicide prevention and mental health support

Addiction

Other

Last medical and editorial review: December 2023
Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved

Resources

Resources

Your resources

Below is a list of different professionals and organizations that you may contact for different kinds of services, ranging from documentation, financial and emotional support to lectures and other informative resources. Being well surrounded and getting the expertise to make informed decisions are two elements that are part of a good strategy for planning your life after a cancer diagnosis.

Keeping in mind the lengthy approval time for support, any financial issue must be resolved first. You may also need a referral from your doctor, nurse or social worker to be eligible for certain services. Speak to your doctor and healthcare team for additional information.

And don’t forget that we are here for you, our expertise being established for prostate cancer. Do not hesitate to contact us at 1-855-899-2872 or via chat to speak with one of our specialized uro-oncology healthcare professionals.

List of professionals outside the public healthcare network

  • Labor lawyer
  • Insurance lawyer
  • Personal banker
  • Accountant
  • Insurance advisor
  • Rehabilitation counselor
  • Orientation counselor
  • Ergonomist
  • Tax expert
  • Notary
  • Bereavement specialist
  • Social reintegration specialist

List of professionals within the public healthcare network

  • Specialist doctors
  • General practitioners
  • CLSC nurses
  • Oncology nurses
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologist
  • Sexologist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Kinesiologist
  • Massage therapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Nutritionist
  • Social Worker
  • Pharmacist

If necessary, some organizations can guide you or accompany you during the more difficult times and decision-making process.

Community Organizations

Quebec resources and references

Canadian resources and references

Online communities and support groups

Medical Associations

  • Canadian Urologist Association
  • Association des urologues du Québec
  • Le Collège des médecins
  • Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec
  • Ordre des sexologues du Québec
  • Ordre des psychologues du Québec
  • Ordre des physiothérapeutes du Québec
  • Association des kinésiologues du Québec

Government Agencies

Provincial and Federal

  • Régie des rentes du Québec
  • CNESST – Non–work-related accident or illness
  • Ombudsman – Health Insurance
  • EI sickness benefits
  • Family and caregiving benefits

Reimbursed medications and your rights

  • Drug coverage by province
  • Connaitre vos droits en santé

Support for Spouses | Caregivers

Provincial and Federal

  • L’Appui pour les aidants
  • Regroupement des aidants naturels du QC
  • Douglas Institute – Practical tips
  • Canadian Government Programs

Useful publications and links for cancer patients

  • Association des psychologues du Québec
  • Ordre des psychologues du Québec
  • Sexuality and Cancer
  • When a relative has cancer
  • Inner Harmony: Managing Stress, Radiating Serenity
  • Living with advanced cancer
  • Everything about hormone therapy

Nutrition and exercices

  • Nourishing Your Body, Nourishing Your Mind
  • Nourish
  • Healthy bones and muscles
  • Staying Active: Move to Live, Live to Move
  • Balanced Weight, Balanced Daily Life
  • Improving your health through physical activity

Help – Incontinence

  • Find a physiotherapy professional
  • Clinique de continence urinaire de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal
  • TENA products for men
  • Depend products for men
  • Cunningham clamp
  • Remboursement des sondes urinaires (prestations spéciales)
  • Canadian Continence Foundation

Help – Erectile dysfonction and penis pumps

  • Trouver un(e) sexologue dans ma région
  • Osbon ErecAid (Canada)
  • Bieva (France)
  • Bathmate (USA)
  • Boutique érotique Séduction (Quebec)

Gynecomastia – Men’s compression clothing

  • Amazon
  • Walmart

Suicide prevention and mental health support

  • Mental health resources (Quebec)
  • Santé et services sociaux Québec – Mental Health
  • Canada Service
  • Mental health support: Get help
  • Suicide prevention Canada

Addiction

  • Alcoholics Anonymous of Quebec
  • Gambler Anonymous

Other

  • Interligne – Support line for the LGBTQ for people

Additional Information - Treatment options

#

How I coped with prostate cancer

A man with prostate cancer shares the challenges of his cancer experience.

Lire l'article
#

Urologist’s advice: Treatments and information on prostate cancer

Learn more about the role of the urologist and the importance for a patient to gather adequate information after receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis.

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#

Prostate cancer: Tests, imaging and biomarkers

Discussion about the variety of approaches available to monitor this disease before, during, or after treatment.  

Lire l'article
#

Is prostate cancer hereditary?

Understanding the hereditary and genetic aspects of this disease can provide valuable information to both individuals affected and their families.

Lire l'article
#

Symptoms, risk and screening

Are you over 50 or experiencing urinary problems? Discover why early screening for prostate diseases is important.

Lire l'article
#

Diagnosis and treatment

Recently diagnosed with cancer? Educate yourself to fully understand your situation.  

Lire l'article
#

The role of hormone therapy

Has your doctor recommended hormone therapy? This video is for you!

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#

States of prostate cancer following treatment

Do your recent tests show an increase in PSA levels? It could indicate a recurrence.

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#

External radiation or Brachytherapy?

Explore the benefits and considerations of each treatment option for prostate cancer to determine which might be right for you.

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#

Q-A – New therapies for advance prostate cancer

In this interview, we answer patients’ questions about new therapies for advanced prostate cancer.

Lire l'article
#

Genetic predisposition to prostate cancer

Although rare, some hereditary genetic mutations can increase your risk of prostate cancer.

Lire l'article
#

All about hormone therapy

Hormone therapy can reduce tumor size, control cancer, and prolong life. Is it the right treatment for your cancer?

Lire l'article
#

Active surveillance in 5 points

As surprising as it may seem, your doctor may prefer to wait before starting treatment.

Lire l'article
#

States of prostate cancer post-treatment

Gentlemen, you’re being treated for prostate cancer, and your latest blood tests show an increase in PSA levels?

Lire l'article
#

Your role as a patient

Have you been diagnosed with prostate cancer? Your role as a patient is essential throughout your journey.

Lire l'article
#

Me a guinea pig?

Did you know that participating in a clinical trial advances medical science and improves the lot of patients for future generations?

Lire l'article

Sources and references
Last medical and editorial review: April 2024. See our web page validation committee and our collaborators by clicking here.

PROSTATE CANCER

Discover our animated video!

Symptoms, risk and screening
Are you over 50 years old, or have you been having urinary problems for some time now? This video is for you! Several diseases can affect your prostate, and it’s important to detect them early. Let’s take a closer look. 

 

Anatomy

What is the prostate

Illustration de l’appareil de l’homme pour un cancer prostate

The prostate is a gland:

  • Located between the bladder and the penis, just in front of the rectum;
  • Formed of 2 lobes which surround the urethra, a canal that runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, letting urine and sperm flow out of the body;
  • The size of a walnut, which grows larger in size in your forties;
  • That has a soft, spongy texture to the touch like a small, ripe plum.

The prostate is made of:

  • Gland cells that secrete liquids for ejaculation;
  • Muscle cells that participate in the evacuation of your sperm during ejaculation;
  • Fiber cells that maintain the structure of the gland.

Around the prostate, we find:

  • The seminal vesicles, glands that produce sperm and that are located on either side of the prostate;
  • The vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm from the testicle to the seminal vesicles;
  • The nerve bundles that control your bladder and erectile function and that are located on either side of your prostate.

Structure

Three main zones of the prostate

Illustration des 3 zones de la prostate de l’homme cancer prostate

Peripheral zone

  • The peripheral zone is the largest area of the prostate. It can easily be felt by the doctor during a digital rectal exam (DRE).
  • Most prostate cancers start in the peripheral zone.

Transition zone

  • This is the area located in the middle of the prostate, between the peripheral and central areas. It surrounds your urethra that runs through the prostate.
  • With age, the transitional area increases in size until it becomes the largest portion of your prostate. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate.

Central zone

  • It is the part of the prostate that is farthest from the rectum. This is why prostate tumors located in this area can not be felt by the doctor during a digital rectal examination.
  • If the doctor is in doubt, the following information will help decide if additional investigation is necessary:
    • Your PSA level
    • Your age and family history
    • Your ethnic origin

Fonction

In short

Illustration d’une prostate saine cancer prostate

Your fertility and natural fertilization

  • It produces … a prostatic fluid rich in enzymes, proteins and minerals that nourishes and protects your spermatozoa.
  • It makes … a protein (APS) that is used to liquefy your sperm to facilitate the mobility of your spermatozoa.
  • It allows … ejaculation by contracting.
  • It promotes … fertility through its enzymes facilitating the penetration of sperm through the cervix.
  • It is not related to the mechanism of erection. Therefore, the origin of erectile dysfunction lies elsewhere.

Additional details

Exocrine Function

The prostate is made up of thousands of tiny fluid-producing glands. Specifically, the prostate is an exocrine gland. Exocrine glands are so-called because they secrete through ducts to the outside of the body (or into a cavity that communicates with the outside). Sweat glands are another example of an exocrine gland.

The fluid that the prostate gland produces forms part of semen, the fluid that carries sperm during orgasm. This fluid, produced in the prostate, is stored with sperm in the seminal vesicles. When the male climaxes, muscular contractions cause the prostate to secrete this fluid into the urethra, where it is expelled from the body through the penis.

Urine Flow

The prostate wraps itself around the urethra as it passes from the bladder to the penis. Prostatic changes can affect urine flow. Increasing the size of the prostate or muscle tone may impede the flow of urine due to the close anatomical relationship between the urethra and the prostate.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

The prostate also produces a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA is released with the ejaculatory fluid and can also be traced in the bloodstream. The testing of PSA levels in the blood is used to detect prostate cancer. The level of PSA in the blood is usually measured in nanograms of PSA per milliliter of blood (ng/mL).

A raised PSA level

Usually, a PSA rate of less than 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood is normal, but age should also be taken into consideration as PSA levels gradually increase with age. A rise in PSA concentration may indicate the presence of:

  • An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
  • An inflammation or infection of the prostate (prostatitis)
  • A prostate cancer

Your doctor will have you undergo other tests to determine the exact cause of the increase in your PSA.

We are here for you

You have questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate. Contact us at 1-855-899-2873 to discuss with one of our nurses specialized in uro-oncology. They are there to listen, support and answer your questions, and those of your family or your loved ones. It’s simple and free, like all of our other services.

Also take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease, our expert lectures, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you, our events and ways to get involved to advance the cause..

 

Staying Informed

Pages that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.

The latest PROCURE news that might interest you
Every week we publish a blog article. Here are some for you.

The medical content and editorial team at PROCURE
Our team is composed of urologists, and nurses certified in uro-oncology with a deep knowledge of prostate cancer and other diseases related to the genitourinary system. Meet our staff by clicking here.

Sources and references

Last medical and editorial review: September 2023
Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved

Prostate cancer
do not experience it alone.

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