OUR NEXT MEETING IS AT 7:00 P.M., TUESDAY APRIL 13, 2004
We invite all members and their spouses to an interactive presentation and a rewarding evening: “Talk about Emotions and Sex” with Alex J. Isbister, M. S. W.
We spend hours, days and weeks studying the science and medicine of prostate cancer. We go online, we go to workshops, we write down questions for our doctors, write down their answers and go home to study those. By comparison, we may not address the emotional and sexual consequences of our cancers in the same constructive way. We can't realign this imbalance in a single evening, but that will be the subject and the direction of Alex's presentation.
As last year, Alex Isbister's presentation will be interactive. And, as last year, Alex can be counted upon to lead us in a respectful manner as we discuss these sensitive issues with him. We encourge spouses to accompany members and enjoy this fun interactive evening!
Send your questions for Alex Isbister to Fred Norris, Chairman, (905) 877-8092 or e-mail fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com.
We will be meeting in Room #2, The Terry Miller Recreation Center, 1295 Williams Parkway at the southwest corner of Williams Parkway & Bramalea Road. Parking is free.

MARCH 9, 2004 "MYTHS AND FACT ABOUT DIET and CANCER" WITH TANYA GIAQUINTO
Some 65 members and guests listened to Tanya explain that recent research shows that how we live can have a significant effect on our cancer risk. In a landmark international report called 'Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective', a panel of leading diet and cancer experts reviewed more than 4,500 studies from around the world. Tanya's detailed presentation provided recommmendations from this important publication. Tanya drew everyone's attention with the bold statement:
"The fact is that 60-70% of cancers could be prevented through dietary change, weight control, exercise and not smoking. In other words you’re in more control of your health than you may think…so take charge".
Tanya then suggested that we can take charge by avoiding things that studies indicate might help cancers grow while emphasizing those that might stop them from growing. Researchers have identified certain cancer "Promoters" related to diet including:
* Alcohol
* Charred meat
* Obesity
* Animal fat
* Sedentary lifestyle
Possible "Protectors" that the study identified include:
* Vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains
* Phytochemicals
* Antioxidants
* Dietary fibre
* Physical activity
Tanya went into details on each of the above factors and their apparent relationship to cancer. She provided recommendations on the pros and cons of various food types and serving sizes and discussed the role played by dietary supplements.
Tanya covered many do's & don'ts and myths &realities in attempting to dispel some of the misconceptions related to diet.
Tanya summarized her talk with the following message for all of us:
* Choose a diet rich in a variety of plant-based foods
* Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
* Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
* Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all
* Select foods low in fat and salt
* Store and prepare foods safely
* Do not use tobacco in any form
For a more detailed treatment of the evening and for helpful web sites that Tanya recommends, visit http://www.ustoo-brampton.com . Additionally, the 'Myths and Facts About Diet and Cancer' slide are already available for download as an Acrobat (.pdf) file from our web site, and an audio download will be available soon.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
This month, I yield this space to Gerry Brunjes, our Treasurer and all-round hard-worker. Gerry asks us all:
Have you ever stopped for a moment and asked yourself what your life is worth? Is it worth, let's say, $25? Well, as we all know, that's the cost of a PSA test, which has been the life saver for many of us. I for one; maybe you for another.
Therefore I can say, without fear of contradiction, that my PSA check was the best $25 I've ever spent. It alerted me and my doctor to the fact that I was in mortal danger. As a result I am the recipient of years of life that I might otherwise have forfeited...if I hadn't spent that $25.
However, not all men see things the way I do. You see, I am not much of a gambler; that is, unless I can bet on a sure thing. So, when it comes down to my life, I am no gambler at all, as I am aiming for the record of "most happy years in retirement".
(Well, shouldn't we all have at least one worthwhile target to shoot for?)
Unfortunately, many of us go from day to day aimlessly, which of course is a big reason why so many of our friends, neighbours and acquaintances neglect a simple "life saver"....the PSA test.
I think you will agree that we all love to get something for nothing. What better gift is there than your life? This is the gift that your friend or neighbour could well receive from our FREE PSA test on April 24th at Bramalea City Centre.
But let's be honest: Nothing comes for free. The actual cost must be carefully watched due to our limited budget. Thus far we have raised $4,500 strictly for this venture. It would be sad if we had to limit the number of tests provided due to limited funding, which COULD happen.
Apart from the (unpaid) volunteers necessary to make this work, there is a staff of professionals who must be paid due to union rules, etc. and of course, there is the cost of the actual tests which are not subsidized in any way. Luckily, Bramalea City Centre is offering us space to hold our clinic for free, to which we say "THANK YOU, Neighbours".
If you can contribute in any way at all, please call Fred, Ian or myself. A few hours of your time would be greatly appreciated!
- Gerry Brunjes, Treasurer, (905) 791-3043, e-mail gerry.brunjes@ustoo-brampton.com.
- Fred Norris, Chairman, at (905) 877-8092, e-mail fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com.
- Ian Smith, Awareness Coordinator, ((905) 454-3880, e-mail ian.smith@ustoo-brampton.com.

2003-2004 GUEST SPEAKERS
Our speakers for the remaining meetings of the 2003 - 2004 season are:
Tuesday, May 11th, 2004 - Arlene Dalton, who gave us an excellent yoga demonstration last year, has also agreed to an encore and will discuss "Stress Management" at our meeting.
Tuesday, June 8th, 2004 - Season's closing Pot Luck & Social Event. We expect live entertainment on this evening with guitars and vocals from local professional talents Bruce & Josh.
Friday, June 25th, 2004 - The 2004 Relay for Life event will be at a new location, The Brampton Fairgrounds on Heart Lake Road. The event will start Friday 25th June and run overnight to Saturday 26th June morning.
We do not hold meetings in July and August.
Tuesday, Sept 14th, 2004 - Michelle Flax, a Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Toronto will present: "What now? Coping with the Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer." Michelle has extensive experience in dealing with couples and individuals who have had to face such life altering crises.
We are actively seeking interesting speakers to fill the rest of the 2004 portion of our year. Suggestions are always welcome.
Don Grant, Speaker Committee, e-mail don.grant@ustoo-brampton.com

NEW MEMBER MEETINGS
New Member meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Suite 304, 57 Mill Street. The next scheduled meeting will be held between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27.
Please be sure to phone ahead to confirm your attendance and receive complete directions to the meeting. Please contact: Sean Butterly, Special Consultant at (905) 454-4237 or Chairman, Fred Norris, at (905) 877-8092 e-mail fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com.

AWARENESS
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release 2004 04 05
Free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) clinic at Bramalea City Centre
Us Too! Brampton, a Chapter of the Canadian Prostate Cancer Network and local support group, will hold a free PSA clinic at Bramalea City Centre on Saturday, 24th April 2004. This event will be held in the Community Area of the mall from 10:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration will take place between "Garfield" and "Key Man" on the lower level near the Centre Court. Applicants should meet certain conditions before testing.
"This event will be a first in the Brampton area to offer free PSA testing to men age 40 to 45 and older, who have never had a PSA test and who have not been previously diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer" said a spokesperson for Us Too! "Prostate cancer affects an estimated 18,000 Canadian men in a twelve-month period. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men and in Canada around 4,000 will die from it every year." This test does not diagnose prostate cancer but uses elevated PSA levels to show that other tests may be needed.
Men who do participate in the clinic will receive a "Prostate Passport" by which they may record the results of future tests and any required treatment.
For more information about the test and requirements for the clinic, please contact Us Too! Brampton.
- Ian Smith, Awareness Coordinator, ((905) 454-3880, e-mail ian.smith@ustoo-brampton.com.

OUR WEB SITE CONTINUES TO EVOLVE - www.ustoo-brampton.com
It is virtually impossible to keep up with the changes and additions that Mukul Luthra, our Multimedia Specialist continues to make to our web site. There are numerous audio downloads of past presentations as well as Adobe Acrobat versions of a number of speakers' slide presentations. Photographs of past and future events of interest are frequently updated. We can be extremely proud of this web site. Thanks, Mukul!
Contact Mukul Luthra, Multimedia, (905) 873-8367, e-mail mukul.luthra@ustoo-brampton.com.