EMERGENCY!! - THEATRE NIGHT 2005 IS NOT SOLD OUT!
As mentioned in the last Newsletter, the "Bramalea Live Theatre" group is generously allowing us to hold a "Theatre Night" and to keep all proceeds from ticket sales to help finance our awareness efforts.
As you know, this is one of our two major annual fund-raising activities and it MUST be successful!

THE TITLE: "McGillicuddy's Lost Weekend", a comedy by Keith Roulston.
THE PLOT: Hamhock's Police Chief, Ezekiel McGillicuddy, has picked the wrong weekend to go fishing. The wealthiest woman in town is sure her only son has been kidnapped, and a crusading female Councilor is dogging Zeke's every step. Throw in a neighbour with serious romantic designs, and the laughs pile up at an alarming if not illegal rate, as Zeke tries to get away from it all.

WHEN: *THIS* Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005 at 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Lester B. Pearson Theatre (City Centre).
WHO: All members, friends, family.
HOW MUCH: Tickets are only $15.
HOW MANY: Only 300!
SEATING: "First Come, First Seated".
TICKET AVAILABILITY: I will supply tickets by mail if needed, and as always, tickets are available on consignment. Tickets can be held at the door if prepaid. Or take your chances on unsold tickets being available at the door.

Gerry Brunjes, Finance, 905-791-3043, e-mail gerry.brunjes@ustoo-brampton.com
 

OUR NEXT MONTHLY MEETING IS AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2005
Dr. Andrew Bayley, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto and Staff Radiation Oncologist, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, will speak on two topics: "The importance of Clinical Trials" and "Image Guidance in Radiation Therapy".
Dr. Bayley will present some basics of clinical trials and discuss issues such as: Who can enter a clinical trial? Why would you want to take part in a clinical trial? Why are there clinical trials? Who decides what a clinical trial will be about? He will highlight some important clinical trials from the past and some of the clinical trials currently underway at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Please send your questions for Dr. Bayley to Fred Norris, Chairman, 905-877-8092 or e-mail fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com .
We look forward to seeing you in Room #2, The Terry Miller Recreation Center, 1295 Williams Parkway at the southwest corner of Williams Parkway & Bramalea Road. Parking is free.
 

OCTOBER 13, 2005 "High Intensity Focused Ultrasound" (HIFU) by DR. WILLIAM L. OROVAN
Over 59 members, spouses and guests attended this event to learn about this new and exciting treatment. Dr. Orovan was accompanied by Mrs. Janice Orovan, the Director of Clinical Programs at the Don Mills Surgical Unit.
Dr. Orovan explained that the most interesting fact about the treatment is that HIFU can be applicable to suitable candidates as a primary curative treatment but it can also be used as a "salvage treatment" in case of disease recurrence following an initial course of treatment such as Radiation.
Using a PowerPoint presentation with graphics, color images and easily understood explanations, Dr. Orovan transported the audience into the front yard of medical high tech. He showed how the procedure works, who is a candidate for it and some of the possible side effects. HIFU is noninvasive and relies on acoustics, a relatively gentle form of energy. Central to the procedure is a trans-rectal probe generating high intensity ultrasound pulses. Individually these waves pass through the surrounding tissue harmlessly but where they converge at a focal point in the prostate, they can raise the temperature to about 85 degree Celsius, thus destroying the cells.
The HIFU equipment is highly precise and employs sophisticated computer hardware and software image guidance technology to pinpoint and move the focal point selectively inside the prostate. The equipment is so sensitive, explained Dr. Orovan, that it will shut down if there is the slightest unwanted movement of the prostate in order to prevent damaging any surrounding healthy tissue.
HIFU is relatively new in Canada but it appears to have had good success in Europe, where it originated.
Having explained the workings of HIFU, Dr. Orovan went on to present some of the statistical data comparing HIFU with other mainstream treatments. The presented data showed that HIFU outcomes compare favorably and were better in some respects. Further studies and data over time of course will further the learning curve.
The talk concluded with an interesting Q & A session with active member participation. In Dr. Orovan's opinion there is increasing medical interest in the application of this type of energy and he feels that the way forward lies in image guided ablation for other organs as well. Any one interested in the HIFU program should get in touch with : Janice Orovan, Director, Clinical Programs, Don Mills Surgical Unit, 20 Wynford Drive, Suite 208, Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1J4. You can also telephone 416-441-2111 extension 245 or e-mail: jorovan@dmsu.com . You can also visit their web site: http://www.hifu.ca , where you can find a qualifying questionnaire and a means of establishing contact with Don Mills Surgical Unit.
Because HIFU is a relatively new treatment in Canada, Dr. Orovan admitted that in the near term one cannot turn to provincial schemes for funding, although some medical components of the cost might be covered by private insurance. At present a new patient could expect to get on the program in about 6 weeks from initial contact, provided all ground work is in order.
Dr. Orovan and Janice also brought along HIFU information handouts, copies of a recent newspaper article and a one-page summary of a 4-year study on HIFU patients for distribution to our members.
With Dr. Orovan's permission we are pleased to offer an Audio recording as well as a secure Acrobat (.pdf) file of the presentation slides on our web site: http://www.ustoo-brampton.com . Audio CDs will also be available from the Brampton Library soon.

2005-2006 GUEST SPEAKERS & EVENTS
Tuesday December 13 - Year end Christmas Pot Luck and Social and with luck some live entertainment.
Tuesday 10, January 2006 - Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz will speak on the topic "Surviving Prostate Cancer 10 Years and Beyond".
Future Speakers - We have an exciting line up of speakers and events coming up for 2006. Please watch for announcements. Suggestions are always welcome!
Mukul Luthra, Speaker Committee, 519-853-4075, e-mail mukul.luthra@ustoo-brampton.com .

NEW MEMBER MEETINGS NOW ONE-ON-ONE INITIAL COUNSELING
Anybody newly diagnosed with PCa and their partners, if possible, can arrange to meet privately with Bob Vandrish or a member of his committee at a convenient time and location.
Contact: Bob Vandrish, New Member Coordinator at 905-791-5595, Sean Butterly, Special Consultant at 905-454-4237 or Fred Norris, Chairman, at 905-877-8092 e-mail fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com .