1 in 9 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men globally. Globally, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.

Across Canada, there are more than 205,000 men living with and beyond prostate cancer. Many are dealing with serious side effects from treatment.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS.
So we’re taking action.

We’ve spent years immersed in prostate cancer research, and in that time, we’ve pushed progress forward 50 years. How? By thinking differently, collaborating globally and investing quickly in what works.

 

By 2030 ...

​We aim to halve the number of men dying from prostate cancer, and halve the number of men facing serious ongoing side effects from treatment.

Help us get there.

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“I'd like to imagine my son growing up in a world where prostate cancer can be cured. In a world where the way Dad freely talked about his health and his regular health checks isn’t unique, but the norm.”

Charlotte Connell

This is how we’re going to win the fight.

Our weapons of choice? Innovation and collaboration. We think differently. We back fresh and promising ideas. We unite researchers and experts across the world to chase down breakthroughs in prostate cancer, from early detection through to diagnosis, treatment and support. And we’re always steered by the question: what works for men?
It’s not just about a cure – it’s about quality of life.

The plan of attack

1. Taking action early

Helping men know the signs, symptoms and risk factors for prostate cancer.

2. Bright minds brought together

We’re bringing the best minds from around the world together to collaborate.

3. Tackling biology

Increasing the knowledge of the most lethal prostate cancer tumors, and how to slow or stop its progression.

4. Reducing side effects

No matter where they are in the world, men and their families and carers must have access to services and support.

5. Affordable treatment

We’re influencing governments to provide affordable treatment and to get new treatments into practice faster.

6. Tailored treatments, precision care

Personalized treatment is the new frontier of cancer research. From distinguishing between harmless and lethal cancers, to taking into account genes, lifestyle and environment: it means a better outcome for men.

7. Helping men make tough choices

Men need the right info to understand their diagnosis and make an informed decision when it comes to treatment.

8. Raising the standard

We’re identifying excellence in prostate cancer treatment and care, to reduce the number of men who aren’t getting the best outcome possible.

9. Global initiatives

Our three largest investments in prostate cancer are global projects that will mean better outcomes for men everywhere.

Download our investment strategy

Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects across more than 20 countries. Here’s a snapshot of our work in prostate cancer.

GLOBAL COLLABORATION

The key to progress? Collaboration. We connect researchers around the world, achieving faster results to reach men sooner. We share our successes and our failures so the scientific community doesn’t lose time to duplicating research.

Global Action Plan

Movember works with leading researchers from around the world to identify key research areas to work together on. Since 2011, Movember has committed $43 million AUD to seven key global research projects in prostate and testicular cancer:
 
 

True North

True North is a global prostate cancer program developed by Movember to help improve outcomes and quality of life for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. With the help of clinicians, researchers, health organisations and user feedback, True North aims to provide information, resources and support to help men navigate the prostate cancer journey.
Visit the True North website
 
 

Clinical quality

Our clinical quality initiatives are transforming prostate cancer healthcare globally by building a better understanding of men’s experiences. By compiling reports from both doctors and patients throughout diagnosis and treatment – and comparing these experiences across regions – we’re improving the quality of prostate cancer care, and reducing treatment variation by continually learning, benchmarking and promoting excellence. These initiatives are active in 18 countries.

The world's first precision medicine drug for treating prostate cancer 

Movember-funded research by Dr Joaquin Mateo contributed to the approval of olaparib in the United States for metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (advanced prostate cancer).  Olaparib works by targeting cancer cell’s ability to repair damage to their DNA. Read on.

Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROMs)

The Prostate Cancer Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROMs) is a survey of all men diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at various timepoints in their clinical care. The survey aims to understand more about the experiences of a man with prostate cancer and then make recommendations on how health services can adapt to improve a man’s health and wellbeing as well as influence policy.

Advances in prostate cancer imaging

18F-Fluciclovine is a novel radiotracer for whole-body imaging of prostate cancer tumours using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Approved in the United States for detection of recurrent prostate cancer in men with elevated PSA levels after previous treatment, it is now marketed by Blue Earth Diagnostics as Axumin®.

Latest breakthroughs in new drugs

Enzalutamide and abiraterone are two androgen receptor-targeted drugs approved in the United States for men whose prostate cancer has spread to other areas of their body. Movember funding for the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium supported pivotal clinical research which contributed to the approval of Enzalutamide (Xtandi®) and abiraterone (Zytiga®).

Local impact

In addition to large-scale efforts that span the globe, we’re also making strides for men in Canada.

A trial looking into the accuracy of MRI technology for prostate cancer diagnosis

The PRECISE trial, led by Dr Lawrence Klotz, is looking at whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer compared to the standard systematic prostate tissue biopsy. Currently, the use of biopsy to confirm the aggressiveness of prostate cancer in men with high PSA levels or abnormal DRE can either over- or under-detect cancer, leading to unnecessary treatment or not appropriately treating clinically significant disease.

Research into a new class of drugs

The TAG2 Project, led by Dr Tak Mak and his team, is studying a new class of drug targeting a different signalling pathway in prostate cancer growth, that will hopefully add to treatments available for advanced disease. Prostate cancer becomes more difficult to treat when the disease progresses to advanced prostate cancer and, in some cases, treatment resistance develops.

Canadian Prostate Cancer Genome Network (CPC-GENE)

The Canadian Prostate Cancer Genome Network (CPC-GENE) has resulted in the world’s most comprehensive genetic analysis of the prostate cancer tumours. Research from this network has advanced our understanding of prostate cancer, including the identification of a DNA signature of aggressive disease as well as changes in DNA that links prostate cancer evolution to disease severity. Most importantly, data from CPC-GENE serve as a rich resource for new diagnostic tests and treatments, and future research.

See all prostate cancer projects

WE’VE MADE EPIC INROADS

But there’s more to be done. Men with prostate cancer still face invasive treatments, serious treatment-related side effects and life or death questions. On top of all that, awareness around early detection has a long way to go. But we’re on it.

To get to where we want to be by 2030,
we need your help.

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