In a surgical suite in a quiet wing of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Mira Keyes and her team are hitting a milestone in prostate cancer treatment. This week – during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week – the BC Cancer Agency will be performing its 1,000th prostate brachytherapy treatment.
And it just so happens, the treatment coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Agency's prostate brachytherapy program, the largest in Canada. In 1998, the BC Cancer Agency was the third cancer care organization in Canada to offer this type of brachytherapy as a treatment for early stage prostate cancer.
Brachytherapy is the placement of radioactive seeds or sources directly into, or next to, a tumour. In the case of prostate cancer, these tiny radioactive sources, often called "seeds," are placed directly into the prostate itself to deliver radiation therapy directly to the tumour tissue, sparing the surrounding healthy tissues.
"Brachytherapy has been an advance in treatment of localized prostate cancer, because it is can be done in as a single outpatient procedure," explains Dr. Keyes, an oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency, who says it is considered as effective as surgery in treating early state prostate cancer. "It is convenient for the patient, the side effects are acceptable, and many patients are able to go to work the next day." It also has the benefit of preserving sexual function in many patients.
When brachytherapy was presented as a treatment option to Ian Pengelly – the 1,000th patient to receive the procedure at the BC Cancer Agency – he carefully researched the risks and benefits.
"I chose brachytherapy because the treatment period is much shorter than for external beam radiation, and the recovery period is much shorter than for surgery," he explains. "As well, brachytherapy is much more precise than either external beam radiation or surgery, so there is less collateral damage to other organs."
In the last five years, the program has expanded in both size and scope. While the techniques remain virtually the same – a testament to the effectiveness of the procedure – access has increased. When the program first began, both the assessment - to determine if a man was eligible for the treatment – and procedure were only done in Vancouver. Today, patients can have their assessment done in Vancouver, Victoria, or Surrey.
It was the prostate brachytherapy program at the BC Cancer Agency which motivated Dr. Ross Halperin to take a position as radiation oncologist at the Centre for the Southern Interior in Kelowna. Dr. Halperin, formerly at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, performed prostate brachytherapy in Alberta.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this provincial prostate brachytherapy program, because of its design, ongoing quality assurance, and qualification program," says Dr. Halperin. Training for radiation oncologists who perform brachytherapy is done by the BC Cancer Agency. Currently, there are 10 oncologists who are able to do brachytherapy at the Agency.
Dr. Halperin hopes to develop the program to the point where residents of the interior will be able to receive an ultrasound assessment and treatment at the CSI.
"Not only would this save time for those patients who now need to travel to Vancouver, it will also give patients the ability to be involved in brachytherapy clinical trials, because currently the distance now makes it impractical," he adds.
Because prostate brachytherapy is a relatively new field in radiation therapy, even after 1,000 procedures have been done, there is still information to learn, explains Dr. Keyes.
"Through comprehensive follow up and careful monitoring of our patients, we continue to focus our research on the long term outcomes of this procedure, and ways to further reduce the risk of side effects."
The prostate brachytherapy program at the BC Cancer Agency was founded by Dr. Jim Morris, Dr. Mira Keyes, Dr. Michael McKenzie, and Dr. Alexander Agranovich.
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Nicole Adams
Public Relations Officer
BC Cancer Agency
(604) 877-6272
nadams@bccancer.bc.ca