ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER CANADA

About Us

In 1994 Ron Evason founded the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993, he realized that there was little, if any, high caliber research being done for the disease. The Foundation’s mission was to support research into the cause, cure, and prevention of prostate cancer.

The Foundation worked tirelessly with professionals and organizations to advance the prostate cancer cause. A 1997 National Prostate Cancer Forum brought together 150 stakeholders to develop direction for future research, communication, and advocacy activities. The Foundation continued to move forward on forum recommendations by participating in the Prostate Cancer Alliance of Canada.

In July 1999, the Foundation merged with the Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Fund, to become the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada. Since then, the Foundation has become one of Canada's foremost organizations dedicated solely to raising funds for research to eliminate prostate cancer.

In May 2009, after ten years of successful fundraising and research efforts, the Foundation re-branded itself from the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada to Prostate Cancer Canada

VISION

Prostate Cancer Canada’s vision is to be a global leader in the fight against prostate cancer, earning the enthusiasm and support of Canadians through integrity, compassion, and innovation.

MISSION

Prostate Cancer Canada is the leading national foundation dedicated to the elimination of the most common cancer in men through research, advocacy, education, support and awareness.

KEY MESSAGES

Prostate Cancer Canada invests the generous donations of Canadians towards funding research that will uncover better diagnostic and treatment options, and towards providing comprehensive education and support services for those living with and affected by prostate cancer.

• Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men; 1 in 8 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• 21,600 expected new cases in 2016.
• 4,000 estimated deaths in 2016.  
• Early detection saves lives. When detected early, the survival rate for prostate cancer is over 90%.
• Men and their families are encouraged to initiate a shared decision-making process with their doctors regarding prostate cancer.  
• In agreement with prostate cancer experts, Prostate Cancer Canada advocates for a “smart screening” approach to early detection which takes a man’s personal risk into account, such as age, family history and ethnicity. This involves getting a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test at age 40 to establish a baseline number which is then incorporated into the man’s risk profile to determine when the next PSA test needs to occur.
• The PSA test is a simple blood test, taken from your arm, that measures the amount of prostate antigen in your blood.
• Men should get a PSA test in their 40s to establish their baseline.
• Men at high risk for prostate cancer should talk to their doctor before age 40 about prostate cancer.