Diagnosed with prostate cancer?
We are a Prostate Cancer Support Group helping men in Oakville, Mississauga, Milton and surrounding areas. We offer fellowship and guidance through personal experiences. We have made the journey! We can help.
In this difficult time of shut-downs and physical distancing, support for men with prostate cancer is even more important. Please note that we are always available to help by phone or email. If you have questions, concerns or would just like someone to talk to, please get in touch. This is a challenging time for all and doubly so if you have just been diagnosed or are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Our Meetings
(Until further notice, Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan house is closed due to Covid-19). All meetings, including ours, are held by Zoom).
Zoom videoconferencing may not be ideal but, at times like these, it allows us to get together, see old friends, listen to guest speakers, and share our successes and our concerns. One definite benefit of group meetings by Zoom is that it breaks down geographical barriers and lets us join in meetings and listen to expert speakers elsewhere in Ontario and across the country. Join our mailing list to see what’s available to you.
When the Covid-19 pandemic is behind us, we will revert to meeting every month in the friendly, confidential, no-pressure environment of Wellspring Birmingham-Gilgan House Whether you want to come once or on a regular basis, please know that visitors are always welcome and the group is there for you, ready with experience, encouragement, understanding and support.
What If I Don’t Want To Go To a Support Group Meeting?
We understand that not all men are comfortable in a group setting and having to speak about their symptoms and side-effects in a room full of other men.
If that’s you (or your loved one), we are happy to arrange one-on-one, confidential discussions. Please get in touch.
What Can Wellspring Do For You?
More than 85 per cent of cancer patients experience the non-medical consequences of cancer and its treatment: the fear, anxiety, pain, isolation, financial worries and guilt. Through one-to-one peer support, group support activities, learned coping skills, rehabilitation and nutrition programs, and much, much more, Wellspring has helped thousands of people take an active role in controlling their cancer experience to improve their quality of life.
See the full range of helpful Wellspring programs online at Well on the Web
Coming Up: May 18th: Talking with Dietitians – get ready for BBQ season
Thank You to Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House for your support and for providing the facilities for our meeting.
Current Meetings & Events
Due to understandable concerns over Covid-19, Wellspring has closed its buildings and moved to on-line and webinar support. We have followed suit and cancelled our group get-togethers at Wellspring until further notice. We still meet monthly by Zoom videoconferencing.
Meetings by Zoom (3rd Wed @ 7pm)
MAY 19th We are pleased to announce that our guest speaker this month will be Justin Lorentz, a Cancer Genetic Counsellor at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto. This will be Justin’s second visit to our group. His topic will be “Prostate Cancer Genetics – Where we are Now and What’s on the Horizon“.
There is no question that genetic testing will play a greater and greater role in prostate cancer in the future – whether as part of screening newly diagnosed cancer or helping select the best targeted treatment of advanced cancer.
If you want an easy-to-understand explanation and an opportunity to ask questions, please get in touch for your invitation to our Zoom meeting on May 19th
Remember
Individual support is still available. In the past month, several men have got in touch with us and have been connected with others who are at the same stage of treatment or who are dealing with the same side-effects. Thanks to the great networking of support groups across Ontario, we can reach out to other groups if necessary to find the right person for you to talk to.
Prostate Cancer Updates
Announcing the first meeting of a nationwide Active Surveillance Support Group for Canada on MAY 13th
See the details and register here
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT or hormone therapy) is a mainstay of treatment in the prostate cancer world but it does not come without its side effects. A great resource to understand the treatment and deal with the side effects is available at Life on ADT
Wherever you are, there is a Support Group and/or a website that can put you in touch with other men in the same position as you. See a list of Support Groups and a national Calendar of Events at Prostate Cancer Support Canada
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (US) produces an excellent, up-to-date comprehensive guide to prostate cancer and its treatment
You can access the updated PDF version of the Prostate Cancer Patient Guide here.
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Other PCCN Group Meetings (all are welcome to attend)
PCS Brampton – 2nd Tuesday each month, 7pm – by Zoom for the time being. Contact jfdorsey@yahoo.com.
PCS Burlington – Last Tuesday of every month at 7 pm – virtual meetings during the Covid-19 shutdown. Contact pccnburlington@gmail.com
PCS Hamilton – 4th Wednesday of every month at 7 pm – by Zoom. Contact pcsghamilton@gmail.com.
PCCN Toronto – this Toronto-based group has great quarterly “Awareness Nights” as well as regular monthly Peer Support meetings. Next meeting May 26th, Dr. Andrew Matthew, the Psychology of a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
PCCN Waterloo-Wellington – 4th Tuesday each month at 7 pm. Meetings being held by Zoom videoconference until further notice. Contact the group at info@pccn-waterloo-wellington.ca for further information.
PCCN Toronto – Warriors Group (for Advanced Prostate Cancer)
A sub-group for men and women dealing with advanced prostate cancer. Here is an opportunity for men and their partners to meet and learn from knowledgeable fellow survivors. If you feel this may be applicable to you, you might want to join their meetings or join their Facebook group.