Blog
PACE-NODES study -(prostate cancer)
The PACE-NODES study for patients with Prostate Cancer is now re-opened at three sites in Ireland.
About this trial
The purpose of this study is to test an advanced type of external beam radiotherapy called stereotactic body radiotherapy (also known as SBRT) in 536 participants with high risk localised prostate cancer (that is, prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate gland but is at high risk of growing quickly or spreading).
Importantly, this treatment delivers a potentially curative dose of radiotherapy in only 5 treatments over two weeks. Half the participants in the trial will receive radiotherapy to the prostate, the other half will have radiotherapy to the prostate as well as the surrounding lymph nodes. The investigators will follow patients in the trial for at least three and half years to see which treatment is best. The investigators will be looking at whether it is safe to give this treatment by reviewing any side-effects that occur and also assessing whether giving SBRT to the lymph nodes as well as the prostate reduces the chance of prostate cancer returning.
A quarter century of lifesaving discoveries in prostate cancer
Today, a patient diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer has options.
Doctors can offer a suite of androgen-suppressing drugs to extend his life. There are genetic tests that can show whether he’s a candidate for more-targeted treatments. These tests can also reveal whether his family members are at higher risk for prostate and other types of cancer. This was not always the case.
https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2024/08/pnw-prostate-cancer-spore-renewal.html
Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database
Aims of PLSD
Based on the observation that removal of adenomas with colonoscopy did not reduce CRC incidence as assumed, in 2012 the European Hereditary Tumor Group (EHTG), at that time denoted the Mallorca Group, decided to compile information on follow-up of path_MMR carriers across multiple specialist centres to answer three questions:
- To what degree does colonoscopy surveillance reduce CRC incidence in path_MMR carriers?
- What is the penetrance and expressivity of pathogenic variants in each of the four Lynch syndrome-associated genes?
- What is the survival of carriers when followed-up as recommended, to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment?
path_MMR carriers: Inherited predisposition to colorectal, gynaecological, urinary tract, upper gastrointestinal and other cancers may be caused by pathogenic variants of mismatch repair (path_MMR) genes and commonly referred to as Lynch syndrome.
My medical oncologist just retired….
Since my cancer diagnosis 23 years ago, I always had someone looking out for me medically. And my oncologist was a stellar watchman throughout these years. He is brilliant in the oncology field, but he also is immensely kind. He treats his patients as family members. And he returns patients’ calls immediately.
Now that he’s retired, I feel like an astronaut whose lifeline has been abruptly cut, and I’m floating away into dark space without oxygen.
Ovarian Cancer
What increases my risk of ovarian cancer?
Include: Family history of cancer:
If you have two or more close relatives (mother, sister or daughter) who have had ovarian cancer or breast cancer, you may be at a higher risk of the disease. Having relatives with ovarian cancer does not necessarily mean that you have a faulty inherited gene in the family. Faulty genes can lead to ovarian cancer in a very small number of women – about 5-10%. These include the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are also linked to the development of breast cancer. There is also a risk of ovarian cancer if your family have the genetic mutation known as Lynch Syndrome.
https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-types/ovarian-cancer#support
Symptoms of bowel cancer
Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier that it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.
https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/symptoms/
Genomics V Genetics
A booklet with information on the different types of surgery you may have to treat bowel cancer.
This guide (by Bowel Cancer UK) describes the different types of surgery for cancer in the colon and rectum, and explains open, keyhole and robotic-assisted surgery.
It covers how to prepare for your operation and what you can expect after your operation, including having a stoma fitted. It also provide tips to help you recover at home.
https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/our-publications/your-operation/
Hereditary Cancer Model of Care
The vision of this model of care is that it will provide clarity regarding the structure and governance of hereditary cancer services in Ireland.
Lynch Syndrome Ireland 