Newsroom Toronto, ON, July 9, 2007 — North York General Hospital, at its Branson site, today officially opens the first prostate centre in the province that provides timely diagnosis, information, expertise and resources in a community hospital setting. The multi-service Gale & Graham Wright Prostate Centre, in collaboration with the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, has been designed to quickly diagnose and support men suspected of cancer — all in one location. Surgery is then performed at the hospital and radiation treatment at the cancer centre. During their lifetime, one in eight men will develop prostate cancer - the most common cancer among anadian men — according to the Canadian Cancer Society. In 2007, an estimated 22,300 men in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,300 will die of it. The Gale and Graham Wright Prostate Centre — thanks to $3 million in private donations — includes a multidisciplinary team of specialists who provide care to patients right at the centre. "We have built the prostate centre around our patients' needs," says Bonnie Adamson, President & CEO, North York General Hospital. "Ultimately they require the best information and support to make a timely decision about the treatment that's best for them when they have a cancer diagnosis." "By bringing together a number of health-care professionals and
services into one centre, we'll be cutting the patient's wait for treatment
by about two-thirds," says Surgeons and radiation oncologists will see patients for their appointments in the centre. The physicians will work together with nursing specialists to assess the patient, and if treatment is necessary, jointly develop a comprehensive treatment plan. "As a patient who has had prostate cancer, I was excited by the
opportunity to help fund this unique centre," says Roly Watt,
Co-chair of Prostate Centre Fundraising and patient. "It's the
fear of the unknown that's the most frightening, so having information
and a diagnosis as fast as possible will help decrease that anxiety." The centre's work includes upfront testing and assessment, followed by the use of specialized diagnostic tools if disease is suspected, such as transrectal ultrasound and biopsy - turning around rapid test results. The multidisciplinary team then determines the best treatment options — whether surgical or radiation therapy - and together they develop the treatment plan. Specific treatments include brachytherapy, external beam radiation, or surgery. If brachytherapy is the treatment of choice, the team will be able to assess the technical feasibility of doing the procedure right in the clinic, and if possible, make the measurements necessary to customize the number and placement of the seeds to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Normally, a separate visit to a cancer center is needed to determine whether a patient qualifies for brachytherapy. North York General Hospital urological surgeons perform the surgery at the hospital, while radiation oncologists do the radiation treatment at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "The centre can really become a model for other community hospitals, in collaboration with their regional cancer centres," says Dr. Linda Rabeneck, Vice President, Regional Cancer Services, Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "It marries services in the community with specialized cancer care -- an excellent means of providing better access and reducing wait times." The Gale and Graham Wright Prostate Centre will also facilitate excellent data tracking, and allow for the assessment of long-term outcomes of the centre's care. "The centre will enhance knowledge of prostate cancer and treatment options among patients, families, health-care professionals and the public, as well as offer patients access to leading-edge research," says Dr. Buckley. "I'm pleased we will be able to further reduce wait times for men in our community who require prostate cancer treatment," says Monte Kwinter, York Centre MPP and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. "I commend North York General Hospital, the Odette Cancer Centre and the many community partners who worked together to turn a vision into an important reality for the residents of this area." The centre's team provides important information and help for patients. "Taking the time to provide emotional support, and to counsel men on treatment options and potential side effects is critical," says Lorraine Carrington, Director, Cancer Care Program, North York General Hospital. "We have the expertise to provide that support, and to explain and review a patient's options so they can make the most informed choice that's best for them. Treatment is a very personal choice and it needs to be considered carefully." Volunteers from the "Man to Man" support group will also
help patients in the centre — an invaluable resource of information
and comfort from others who may have been through similar experiences. Media — For information:
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