A member of the Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups (S.A) Inc.

 

OUR GOLDEN RULE: We do not give medical advice. Your G P, your Urologist or an Allied Health Professional, are the only people legally qualified to give you medical advice.

We do, however, give you our wholehearted support.

 

DECEMBER 2004 NEWSLETTER

 

Meeting held at Port Noarlunga Christies Beach RSL Sub Branch

On Monday December 6^th 2004 at 7pm.

 

Chair: John Shields.

 

Present: 16

 

Apologies: Artie, Harold and Ann, Norman, and Barry.

 

Welcome back to David and Anne from their overseas trip.

I must apologise to David for not giving him the opportunity to tell us all about it.

(Another one of my Seniors moments)

We look forward to a full report from David and Ann next year.

 

Donation: $100.00 from Melva and Les Trickey.

Many thanks for your kind donation, it is very much appreciated.

 

Guest Speaker: Terry Crabb, President, The Newell Foundation (for Prostate Cancer Research.)

 

Terry spoke about Brians work as a photographer with the Advertiser Newspaper and his interest in photographing as many of the old features of South Australia that were crumbling with age, so that his own family and future generations would be able to see some of what outback South Australia used to look like, and then told us about Brians great interest in the old Ghan Railway.

 

Terry said that Brian took thousands of photographs, and re visited areas many times just to get the best photo.

 

Much later, after Brian had been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, he was determined to use his past experience as a photographer, and the production of his book about the Old Ghan Railway, to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research.

 

All of this, knowing that he had been given only a relatively short time to live because of his own Prostate Cancer. WHAT A MAN.

Our group voted that we purchase one of Brians books for our Library so that members could study it at their leisure, with the view to purchasing a copy for themselves. The cost of the book is $40.00

If any member wants to borrow the book, perhaps to buy a copy for a Christmas present, please contact  Peter so that you can check it out for yourself before Christmas.

 

Terry can be contacted on 8323 8085 or 0407 606 585 or email, turkman@aldingaturkeys.com.au

 

There are many worthy Research groups that are seeking funding to continue with their valuable work,

and we need to make a decision early next year, as to which group we give an annual donation to.

 

Terry has put a very good case for the Brian Newell Foundation for Prostate Cancer Research.

 

Other worthwhile groups are:-

 

The Berri, and Port Pirie, Prostate Cancer Support Groups.

Repatriation General Hospital.

Dr Carole Pinnock, Prostate Cancer Research Scientist. (Prostate SA.)

 

Flinders Medical Centre Foundation.

Dr Greg Barritt Prostate Cancer Research Scientist

 

Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Fund.

Prostate Cancer. Dr Vilis Marshall. (Prostate S.A)

 

The South Australian Cancer Council for their continuing educational support for our group.

Many thanks for the Video and DVD about Understanding Clinical Trials, received today.

 

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, for their ongoing support from day one.

 

And I am sure that there are many more.

 

It is good to see so much interest in Prostate Cancer Research.

 

So once again, we will follow the democratic process and vote on the subject in the New Year.

A VOTE FOR THE MEETING VENUE OF YOUR CHOICE

 

The Venue where the majority of our members have chosen to meet, is

Noarlunga Community Hospital.

Thank you to all members who attended this important meeting to make it clear that you will meet at the venue of your choice.

 

It is important that the members of the Group are happy, and comfortable with the venue where the meetings are being held.

 

We have been assured that Noarlunga Community Hospital wants us to hold our meetings there, and our members have taken them at their word, and voted to continue meeting at the Hospital.

 

Our thanks to the Christies Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, and Port Noarlunga-Christies Beach RSL for allowing us to check out their facilities before we voted.

 

It is very encouraging to know that these two very Community minded groups have our best interests at heart and we really do appreciate their offer to use their Clubrooms for our meetings.

 

WHERE TO NOW FOR THE COMPARATIVELY NEW

ASSOCIATION OF PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS (S.A) INC.

 

At a meeting of the Association on Sunday December 12^th we discussed a proposal to join the new Group, Prostate S.A.

 

Members agreed that we should send a letter of interest to Prostate S.A, and get a written response from them with details of what it would mean to our Association, and for our Support Group.

 

This is in line with the wishes of our Group.

 

All proposals to our group must be in writing, to which, we will respond in writing.

 

I will wait until I get the minutes from the meeting and give a fuller report then.

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The three information days at Colonnades with the RSL`s, pre Remembrance Day display was worth the effort, and we have been invited to join with the RSL again leading up to Anzac Day next year.

Thanks to Peter for coming along to give me a break.

 

Information days are a great opportunity for us to let our Community know that there is a Prostate Cancer Support Group here in the City of Onkaparinga, and to give them as much information as possible so that they can learn all about Prostate Cancer before it becomes a reality in their lives.

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It is hard to believe that it is December again.

 

This time last year I was preparing to have Surgery and was wondering what the outcome would be.

Fortunately, so far so good, and my PSA is still less than 0.03.

Doctor Stapleton said to have a PSA test every four months and come back to see him in twelve months.

 

 

NORMANS TEDDY

Congratulations and thank you Norman, your Teddy Bear is a work of art.

Our members decided to raffle it next year, so we will bring it along to the February meeting.

Thanks also to Phyllis for her excellent job of making the box and wrapping it for us.

A NOVEL APPROACH TO KILL PROSTATE CANCER CELLS

Professor Greg Barritt, Research Scientist

Dept of Medical Biochemistry F.M.C.

 

These are some abbreviated notes (with the assistance of the big screen) from the meeting.

(There were no handouts)

 

There are a number of treatments being Researched now, some need improvement.

 

Prostate Cancer Cells migrate and stop normal processes in other parts of the body

 

There is an increased demand for Diagnosis, with the ageing population. (The baby boomers)

Suggest DRE and PSA at age 40 to 45 if Prostate Cancer is in the Family, and at 50 years of age for every other man

 

Age, Race, Genetics and Nutritional Status are considered.

50% of those newly diagnosed have Metastasis.

 Always check with your G.P.

 

F.M.C. has a major understanding how Androgen works.

Researchers can talk to Clinicians on a daily basis within F.M.C.

 

Higher Calcium in Cells can kill Cancer Cells. (Need to find maximum safe level)

Introduce high Calcium into Cancer Cells artificially.

A Calcium solution, (Calcium Chloride), in a low concentration, as our Cells do not need a lot of Calcium.

Too much Calcium also kills healthy Cells.

 

Use Molecular Biology to selectively express a Calcium channel.

 

Activate with Chilli Pepper. (Too much Chilli Pepper is toxic)

 

Utilise PSA testing to monitor.

 

Use cultured Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

 

Kill Cancer Cells with Calcium through the channel provided by the Chilli Pepper.

 

Experiment with Animal models.

 

Expect results in approximately 18 months time.

 

The strategy could be applied to other forms of Cancer.

 

There will be similar talks, approximately every six weeks, but all will not be about Prostate Cancer.

 

Website: www.flinders.sa.gov.au/fmcfoundation

 

More information is available from Brenda Champion. Email Brenda champion@fmc.sa.gov.au

Or, Lee Ann Guy. Email Lee-Ann.guy@fmc.sa.gov.au

OUR NEXT MEETING IS FEBRUARY 2^ND 2005

 

Our Guest Speaker, Pat Whitehead, from The Council on the Ageing, will conduct an interactive session about Quality use of Medicines.

 

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WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY

 

TO WISH ALL OF OUR MEMBERS

 

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE, HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.