AnCan Foundation

At Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness, we recognize the extraordinary impact AnCan Foundation has made—and continues to make—on the lives of patients navigating a cancer diagnosis. Their pioneering peer-to-peer virtual support model is not only innovative, it’s life-changing. AnCan meets Veterans and civilians alike where they are, providing guidance, community, and hope at a time when clarity and support are most needed.

As a fellow advocate in precision cancer care and early detection, we proudly endorse AnCan for the 2025 GreatNonprofits Seal. Their work is a model of compassion, patient empowerment, and forward-thinking outreach that fills critical gaps in care and support. We are grateful for their mission and proud to stand alongside them.

Michael “Bing” Crosby
Founder & President
Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness

AnCan does an amazing job of helping patients and caregivers battling cancer a safe space to vent, ask questions, and get input from peers who have 'been there and done that.' I've seen veterans learn how to navigate the VA; newly diagnosed patients with prostate cancer find a second and third opinion that led to a very different (and far superior) course of treatment; and pancreatic cancer patients find clinical trials that their doctor didn't know existed. It's a great resource!

I joined AnCan's Advanced Prostate Cancer support group just a few months ago. I was resuming treatments after three failed curative attempts over the previous four years. The combined lived experiences, knowledge of Advanced Prostate cancer, and support of the community is truly great and unmatched anywhere. It has helped me navigate the treatment of my disease and help me be an advocate of my own health choices. I only wish I had known about this group at the time of my diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with De Novo Metastatic Prostate cancer in December 2021. When I found AnCan it was immediately of great value providing both a sense of community and information concerning treatment alternatives and standard of care. Until I found this group I was unaware of anyone else with Advanced prostate cancer and felt very isolated, the AnCan Foundation has changed that completely. Ancan also provides a forum in which I am able to help others by sharing my experience and knowledge . I am also a donor.

I became prostate cancer recurrent earlier this year after being in remission for four years. That news rocked my world even more significantly than my initial cancer diagnosis back in 2015. I was not connected with any support groups previously and have been so blessed to have found the AnCan Foundation. The dedication, straightforward conversation, and helpfulness of all the people involved in this effort is amazing! I went from confused, scared and angry to informed, confident and assured thanks to the efforts of this foundation. In my opinion, every practicing urologist, radiation oncologist and oncologist that works with prostate cancer should be required to inform their patients of the AnCan Foundation!

The support groups provided by AnCan have proved invaluable in helping me navigate prostate cancer. The groups sessions always provide a wide breadth of experience.

AnCan is truly a source of accurate, disinterested information for those of us with prostate cancer.

AnCan is a wonderful foundation. They are consistantly finding new and fun ways to interact with cancer warriors. I have been so educated with there zoom meetings. Along with the help and support, I feel love. The arts night is another great help for entertainmaent , relaxation, and just commraderie. They feel like family

I have MS and don’t drive so can’t always physically link up with a community of people. It can be a lonely experience for many so AnCan give me and many others the opportunity to meet people, learn and do some therapeutic, creative activities. The group is always a welcoming, fun place to be. It really helps me maintain my mental health and dexterity. Thank you AnCan for offering these virtual opportunities.

I was diagnosed several months ago and then recommended to start participating in the weekly online peer group as well as a resource/reference point for information. I have found it to be invaluable and an excellent source both for a sounding board of others with the same situation and to learn from others experiences. I participate regularly in the group asking questions as my personal case progressed and getting get insights but also just listening and learning. I quickly learned so much about my situation and about the treatment protocols. I totally recommend the groups and website as an excellent source/peer group to help you through your journey and to make decision about your approach. Sign up / participate you will not regret it.

When I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer at 58, I felt like my world had been turned upside down. While there's a lot of information out there, it was hard to find a community that truly understood the specific challenges I was facing at this stage of life – still working, with a special needs child and financial responsibilities. The support group for men under 60 has been a lifeline. It's a place where I can connect with others who are going through similar experiences, share the emotional burden, and learn practical tips for managing treatment and living with this disease. Knowing I'm not alone and having a network of guys who truly understand has made a significant difference in my journey. If you're a younger man dealing with metastatic prostate cancer, I highly recommend finding strength and support within this incredible community. The facilitator of the group brings wealth of knowledge, compassion and passion to help the participants of the group navigate challenges like finding doctors and denials from Insurance company. I am so glad I was able to connect with AnCan at the PCRI conference last year and look forward to our monthly meetings. Truly grateful to this organization and people that work here.

If having prostate cancer is like swimming in a choppy ocean of information, options, and opinions, AnCan has been like a life vest for me. The experience, knowledge, and comfort the moderators provide is a godsend. They know what questions to ask, and use your answers to create the means to enable you to navigate your journey through this disease. They really listen. And the experience and help I've received from support group members has been invaluable. We're all out here swimming in the same water. Cancer has messed with me mentally and emotionally. I read that as a cancer patient "you can't be objective," and I've certainly experienced that. The meetings have helped me with that in a big way. I'm so thankful for this organization!

A great nonprofit that has helped prostate cancer patients for years like myself with support groups and informative accurate objective advice. It is inclusive welcoming everyone. I have used this nonprofit consistently since 2016 sharing my prostate cancer experience with others and learning from their journey. I donate yearly without exception.

An Can has a host of programs for people with cancer. I have participated in four monthly Zoom meetings for men with high risk/recurrent/advanced prostate cancer. These are peer-to-peer meetings. These meetings focus on treatment. I also participate in the Men Speaking Freely, which is for men with any life threatening disease. This group does not discuss treatment. All A Can meetings are free and a great source of support.

I joined the AnCan Thyroid Cancer group about two years ago as a volunteer moderator. I had been part of other peer groups for another condition prior but was disappointed in how the sessions were facilitated. AnCan does not pressure anyone at anytime. An individual is encouraged to participate at their own pace and comfort level, on camera or off. It has proven to be a truly symbiotic experience and very healing. I am now also participating in the Women Speaking Freely Group.

I have been participating with the AnCan Blood Cancer group for a couple of years. I very seldom miss their video meetings as I enjoy seeing my new-found friends and sharing our stories with each other. It seems to lighten the load knowing that others are going through similar experiences. We talk about bone marrow biopsies, CT scans, MRI, ports, main-lines, chemo-brain, side-effects of medicines, and so forth. We band together & encourage each other. Although we have various types of blood cancer our experiences are similar.

I love the support and encouragement of my support groups!

AnCan is a wonderful resource for people experiencing disease. I found the group after a serious diagnosis and the groups and support have been incredible. I would recommend for anyone facing any of the issues that AnCan works with to explore them. An incredible resource. Highly recommend.

Ancan is the best gift in learning how to deal with prostate cancer. It educated to the point where I no longer fear the disease. Thank you Ancan for being in my life.

After participating in several prostate cancer support groups, I have found a home with AnCan. The distinguishing factor comes down to holistic integration support groups to address chronic diseases in general. AnCan recognizes that living with a chronic disease goes beyond medical treatments. There are emotional factors to living with cancer. AnCan is my home because I can speak freely with other men who are also trying to find the right work/life balance while becoming the best advocate for the management of their prostate cancer.

I just recently got diagnosed with Prostate Cancer Gleason 7 Intermediate risk 3+4, 4+3, which took me for a loop and into the abyss of unknown. Although I thought I knew how to proceed the more I learned about the side effects of any treatment I got overwhelmed and pretty distraught at times. I was looking for answers and what to do, some guidance, support anything. Luckily I stumbled on this support group where I received from the advisor and moderators invaluable support and comfort, and also listening to other members on this forum from the GoTo Zoom meetings. I'm at a center of excellence, met with a RO recommended and now weighing my options.
I've battled AFIB the last 10 years, 3 heart Ablations but this is a whole different animal.

John S
Astoria New York

The AnCan support groups have very dedicated leaders, a wide range of topics, and they initiate and promote responses from all participants. Opinions and advice are offered when asked, the leaders have real life experiences and thereby offer valuable services and insight to the support group members. Highly recommended.

Have been using this organization over several years and of all the Prostate Cancer forums I regularly participate in, by far this is the best. The reason is simple - very knowlegeable moderators - they are not doctors - but can offer a lot of information to cancer patietns from their own experience, attending symposiums, and avidly reading online publications. They can explain and interpret patient's doctors' recommendations and suggest other resources for patients to investigate. I have asked them for guidance when I reached several key decision points in my treatment and they never fail to provide high quality and very specific information that I researched and then took to my oncologist for further discussion. Highly recommend to patients and their families who seek personalized attention. Priority on the weekly call in / videos is new patients as they need the most support.

AnCan is an amazing organization. Their prostate cancer support groups have been so helpful to me as I started my journey from diagnosis to treatment. A wealth of experience shared freely. They welcome new people into the groups warmly. And ask nothing in return other than you give back your experience to help others.

AnCan is a virtual platform for cancer patients and caregivers, providing a warm and welcoming environment that feels like home. They embody the spirit of advocacy, support, and education, offering compassionate care. Their empathetic approach and deep understanding of the latest research make a real difference in the lives of those they serve.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer about one month ago. It came out of the blue so it was very stressful and sad. While my urologist explained some things, our conversation was limited and felt rushed. I started doing my own research and came across the AnCan group. It just happens they were having a virtual meeting that evening for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer so I joined in. The group was very comforting and very informative. Dr. Perloe and Rick were incredibly patient in responding and communicating with the participants and very informative. I was very grateful for their leadership and the group presence. Last night I attended Clinical Trials 101 and the speakers were excellent as well. Thank you for this group and all the incredible support with the information etc. It makes our journey feel a lot better. Thank you.

When I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, I received different opinions from the myriad of healthcare providers I consulted. AnCan offered the necessary support and guidance so that I knew the questions I needed to ask allowing me choose a medically sound diagnostic and treatment path

I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in the second half of 2023 and while I had very competent medical advice I did not have a sounding board for all the possible options for my situation. I found AnCan almost accidentally on the internet and joined their zoom calls. I cannot over emphasize the satisfaction I had in speaking with others that were going thru this ordeal. Having real people who share and explain their fights was a real help for my mental health in fighting this disease and the discussion of various options with the pluses and minuses of each truly not helped me make a decision but contributed greatly in the confidence of the choice I made. The moderators are very good at helping each call attendee get something from these calls. I am very fortunate to have found this group. Thank you.

I first joined AnCan soon after my diagnosis with prostate cancer. I was understandably anxious, particularly as my wife had recently died from ovarian cancer. I was immediately relieved when the AnCan moderators and participants provided me much needed information and support. I quickly learned the language of prostate cancer to become a better patient and advocate when working with my healthcare professionals. I cannot recommend AnCan more highly! Outstanding!

I have known I am a BRCA2 gene mutation carrier since 2013, as my mother had breast and ovarian cancer (she tested for the BRCA2 mutation in 2010). After ten years of stable PSA test levels, I was diagnosed with low grade prostate cancer in 2022 after a rising PSA and 3T MRI/Biopsy.

After reading a blog post from another patient in a similar situation and mentioning AnCan, I attended an AnCan support group meeting and shared my story. Rick Davis and the other moderators connected me (literally overnight) with the Urologic Oncology experts at UCSF, leading me to move my care to Dr. Peter Carroll at UCSF. I was on Active Surveillance in 2023, and closely monitored due to my BRCA2 status. I then elected for surgery in January 2024 after a rapid progression from my one-year follow-up MRI and biopsy. AnCan was invaluable in providing information on everything related to my cancer journey, from the start of my diagnosis, to what to expect after surgery.

Since then, I've become part of the "BRCA Bros," a small group within the AnCan community. We continue to support each other through our prostate cancer journeys and associated screenings for other BRCA2 hereditary cancers, and in turn, keep the AnCan staff updated on our hereditary cancer screenings for knowledge sharing.

AnCan offers the best peer to peer virtual support groups on the web. AnCan offers support for a variety of cancer types. I have had experience with the advanced prostate cancer group. I watch the weekly recordings soon after they are posted and listen to other patients discuss and ask questions about their treatment options and management of side effects. Each recorded session I watch I learn something new, valuable, and applicable to my own situation. For those who have time to participate live, you can attend the virtual sessions and ask questions to the group. The patients in the group sessions are very knowledgeable about the latest FDA approved and in trial treatments, and have personal experience with treatment protocols (some of the patients in the group are themselves medical doctors or have advanced degrees in related fields). Recommendations can be given to the patient for doctors and facilities in a specific geographical area who specialize in genitourinary oncology, either for second opinions or primary treatment. Of course, no medical advice is given, but participating in the group is like attending a tumor board meeting.

During a follow-up from radical prostatectomy, my urologist informed me that everything was contained, removed lymph nodes were negative, and all was good. A lab script was given for a 3 month PSA check.
Prior to my prostatectomy, I had some naturopath blood biopsy testing done which yielded several cancer biomarker results. I also had done Prolaris and Decipher tests that were high risk. During a web search for more genetic and genomic information, I happened upon an AnCan Genomic Webinar. I sent an email to AnCan asking for the webinar speaker's contact information in an effort to learn more about potential treatment options. Rick Davis of AnCan called me and offered to share information and guidance. During our hour long conversation, Rick reviewed my prostate pathology report with me and I discovered several extremely critical aspects of the pathology report including being a Gleason 9 that the surgeon never mention. Rick suggested getting a PSA 40 day post surgery test right away and additional 30 day tests. My post surgery reports showed the PSA rising and confirmed that I had recurrent high risk prostate cancer. Rick suggested contacting an excellent nearby GU Medical Oncologist and the doctor ordered PSMA Pet scan and several other baseline tests. The PSMA Pet scan did not yield any specific metastasis targets, so the doctor started me on ADT treatments as well a Rick's suggestion of full pelvic girdle radiation treatments.
I started participating in weekly AnCan High Risk Prostate support group calls and learned how to be an advocate for myself, knowledge of various drug regimens, and learning of other men's journey navigating the medical establishment. Rick also put me in contact with another man that had a similar cancer experience and Ben has helped me tremendously in treatments and emotional uncertainly.
I feel truly Blessed to have found AnCan and especially Rick's and Ben's strong compassion to help others, otherwise cancer would have gotten a huge head start and done a lot of damage. Thank you to one and all involved with AnCan.

I had a prostatectomy in February 2022. I knew little about prostate cancer. My prostate cancer returned quickly. I did not know how to proceed. An Can was a God send for me. I learned about recurrent prostate cancer, and An Can helped me find a medical oncologist. An Can helped me become part of my treatment team.

AnCan is an absolutely great group of people who selflessly share their considerable knowledge and experiences around their own serious medical conditions and treatments. A friend recommended this group six years ago when I was diagnosed with very high risk prostate cancer; it has proven to be his best advice. The gentlemen of AnCan - by which I mean all of the participants - have helped me understand and sort through the maze of confusing, terrifying choices confronting me with a life threatening diagnosis. Collectively, they stay on top of the latest research, adding invaluable context with personal, "anecdotal" experiences. I feel that the group continues to improve, ever remaining reliable friends. Geoff D

Over the past 4-5 years, I periodically join the AnCan Advanced Metastatic Prostate Cancer Group. I was initially diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic PCa in 2015. I find the discussions very informative. The leaders are knowledgeable and passionate in sharing their PCa experiences. I highly recommend this group and its leaders (I have not participated in other groups) for men navigating their PCa journey. The leaders are also available outside of the group discussions to provide guidance in finding appropriate, targeted resources.

After struggling with recurrent disease, a peer told me about AnCan. It has been a crucial part of my journey to understand my disease, options available, and how to advocate for myself. It has also provided a support in many other ways to be part of a group with a lot of experience and knowledge..

I have been fortunate to have been a member of AnCan since August 1, 2022.
As both a physician and patient, I have attended extraordinary weekly and at times biweekly sessions dealing with advanced recurrent prostate cancer. No oncologist, no friend or relative could offer the reassuring authentic credibility that this group of trench warriors have. They experientially talk first hand of their individualized processes of diagnosis, treatment, adverse events and how they dealt with each specific event and the many specialists they have utilized in their arduous journey.
A more realistic, compassionate experience couldn’t exist outside of AnCan.
I am extremely grateful to be a member of An Can where every week is a new learning experience that adds to my hope as I navigate this life altering experience.
Thanks you Rick, Peter, Len, Dr. John, Ben and my fellow attendees for sharing so much of yourself.
With gratitude,
Jack Baruch MD

I stumbled upon AnCan in 2019 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) and having a radical prostatectomy.. When you are confronted with a terminal disease, your life changes immediately. You're alone in a whole new world learning a new vocabulary and everything is very confusing. The management of AnCan helps men to sort through the maze of foreign information. One can just sit quietly and observe during their free online Zoom presentations, and when you're comfortable speaking out and asking questions, you feel like a member of a new club. If you have questions about your doctors, you can ask the group what their experiences have been, and not feel intimidated by your own ignorance. You will become a veteran member of the club very quickly. A passing comment about a random clinical trial being offered in Los Angeles by the Veterans Administration led me to that trial, and I obtained an important baseline scan to help me diagnose an early biochemical recurrence of the PCa a long time before my private care givers were offering the new imaging procedure. In fact, my urologist asked me, "How did you learn about this trial and why did you go to the west coast?" My answer to him was through an AnCan meeting - which he had never heard of - and why wouldn't I get on an airplane and get that imaging scan as soon as possible? Later, another comment during a Zoom meeting led me to get hearing aids from the VA and expand the care that I get from the VA now. I would not have known about what the VA was offering veterans without AnCan's guidance.

So, now, AnCan gets a donation from me every month to help support what they do for folks in need of mutual support during their journey through their care in the medical field. If you're looking for help with your disease and also want to support a worthwhile patient portal operation, AnCan is a wise choice for your time and your donations.

I am not sure how I found AnCan, but I am very glad that I did. I have received very valuable information and advice from this group although they profess not to be dispensing medical information I found them to be more knowledgeable than some of the doctors I visited. The information I gained from this group I presented to my doctor and they looked up the suggestions and found them to be very viable for my care. This is a very worthwhile organization, and I recommend this organization to the men with prostate cancer that I encounter. The men, speaking freely group provides an opportunity for me to express the feelings that I have been holding in. Attending the AnCan sessions allows me too realize that I am not on this journey alone.

Hi just love Ancan Art Class. I have sarcoidosis and this art class has been an amazing adventure. The two girls that host the class are lovely. I love their enthusiasm. There is cheerful and intelligent way they run the class. I can say I have been fortunate to come to this miracle of a class that takes me away for the night from my horrible disease. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me escape my disease with this art class. I never attempted water pencils before and now I feel I can swish away. Love this group and hope it continues for all of us. What a blessing. Thank you for making my life a little easier.

I found this Online Sarcoidosis Support Group a couple years ago when I was having a really bad flare-up in 2020. It was a blessing... No support groups were meeting in person in my area due to the pandemic. Finding and connecting with an online group of "sarkies"

I am now a moderator for the Sarcoidosis Support Group.

Everyone an the call is supportive and inspirational. Everyone is affected differently by sarcoidosis. Some have it in the lungs, lymph nodes and heart, like me, others have in in their skin, brain, and other places. We all support each other with knowledge and experience.

Discovering AnCan has been the best thing that happened to me regarding coping with cancer. I found emotional support, guidance and navigation, and lots and lots of science-based information. AnCan works very hard for us at the personal and national levels and is always available. I urge anyone with cancer, lupus, MS, or sarcoidosis and their caregivers to visit AnCan.

I have had Multiple Myeloma (a blood cancer) for 4 years and have continually tried to stay on top of information and research in this field. Initially, I tried to find a support group in my area, but there were none and with Covid, they became fewer. I found AnCan's Blood Cancer group and attended their virtual meeting and after the first one learned I was not alone in my feelings and MM was not the only rare but serious blood cancer, I have continued to attend, along with other virtual support groups dedicated to only MM. AnCan is unique in that they include all the blood cancers and we learn so much from each other.

Following a radical prostatectomy in September 2020, I was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer. It was a traumatic time, with many decisions to make and no one to help me in making them. I have no spouse or partner, so I am on my own. The months before I found ANCAN and its Over-60 High Risk PCa Support Group were bleak ones. In 2021, I heard about ANCAN, attended its support group, and found the moral and emotional support of a group of men dealing with similar issues to mine. I learned much more about my prostate cancer, and I no longer felt so alone.

Living with aggressive prostate cancer was like being on the ocean in a rowboat in bad weather. Then finding AnCan was like seeing the lighthouse and knowing a safe harbor is within reach. Finding AnCan and participating in discussions with a support group was immensely reassuring and uniquely insightful because I was talking with men who had just gone through what I was experiencing. I learned more about my cancer and what questions to ask my doctor after participating in these support group discussions. Recommend AnCan to every cancer patient and your care giver.

I am fortunate to have learned about the virtual peer-to-peer support group in the last year of a journey navigating through the trials and tribulations of advanced prostate cancer. The opportunity to share the journey with others experiencing similar medical problems and decisions has been invaluable. The medical research system is developing excellent new treatments for fighting cancer, and the moderators and participants of AnCan helped me to be an advocate for myself in the complicated and confusing world of modern healthcare. The group has helped me learn through shared experience and provides emotional support to maintain strength and hope in the fight against cancer. I am happy to express my deep appreciation for AnCan’s help in asking questions and questioning answers. AnCan has created a mental and emotional structure for me to work with my medical team to ensure that the best care and information is available to help make treatment decisions. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I’ve been participating in Ancan’s Advanced prostate cancer group for over two years. I’ve learned invaluable information from the group. I’ve been presented with all of the possible options that those with similar issues have available to them. Being in the group I can find out what side effects people have from different drugs we have to take to fight cancer. Almost all of the physical and medical choices we have to take are discussed weekly, letting us know what works for others and what can do that can make us feel better and live longer.

I have been participating in ANCAN's zoom calls for advanced PC patients, and have found the organization to be very informative. I also find it essential for me to regularly participate in these meetings as a wealth of viable information is always shared amongst the participants.

Ancan has been an important part of my Prostate cancer journey for close to 5 years. Not only do they provide wonderful peer to peer groups of Prostate cancer survivors but individual group members have had a specific impact on my decision making. For example, I had never heard of a GU Oncologist before. I assumed an oncologist was just an oncologist. They helped me chose an oncologist who specializes in Prostate cancer. Among the many support groups AnCan offers is my favorite one called “Men Speaking Freely.” This group offers a safe place for men to really discuss the icky stuff that having Prostate cancer does to you physically and mentally. For men to actually discuss such personal issues in a video forum is nothing short of remarkable to me. Thanks to a discussion on Medicare, I went back and really drilled down on my choices and much to my relief, still felt good about my choice and my broker. Finally, thanks to a participant of one of the groups, who mentioned that they had just returned from a basically all expense paid fly fishing trip for men with cancer, I’m going to go on one this August!

Extremely helpful and knowledgeable organization. Was easily accepted and was able to tell my prostate cancer story and got guidance from accepted and gold standard practices. This helped to engage my radiation oncologist toward a more accepted and with less radiation approach. I am grateful to AnCan and its staff for their unbiased knowledge and recommendations based on their experiences.
I will continue to stay tuned to each group session they have on advanced/recurrent PS.
My monetary donation is just a start and hope in the future to be able to contribute more as a volunteer.
AnCan: Please keep up the good work!

I wrote a comment back in 2019 so I hope it's okay to do it again.

I'm still an avid believer in the value of Ancan and I still manage Ancan's Facebook page and YouTube channel. I even made the little video describing some of what Ancan offers. I still try to help out in any way I can, whenever I can. I wouldn't do so if I didn't find great value in what Ancan provides.

Ancan has expanded since my video to provide even more virtual support groups with very talented and caring moderators.

It's been nine years since I was diagnosed with stage 4 (metastatic), Gleason 8, prostate cancer. I actually thought I'd be dead within a year of that diagnosis. And yet, I'm still here thanks, in part at least, to the advice and support my brothers (and sisters) at Ancan have given me. Not only did they inform and guide me about treatment options, they cheered me up when I occasionally felt depressed and hopeless. So, as I have for several years now, I make it my mission to attend and assist the High Risk call each week.

Ancan is an invaluable part of my life!

I have prostate cancer and am on Active Surveillance. The AnCan Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Virtual Support Group is helping me through my journey. Thank you Joe Gallo, Howard Wolinsky, Rick Davis and others. I appreciate your knowledge and dedication. Keep up the good work!

Ancan has been fantastic, I have learned a great deal and have moved to new health care provider.

Fortunately, there are now many support groups, forums and webcams for aggressive or advanced prostate cancer patients. The difference in the groups is overall approach, a capable facilitator but, most important, a highly informed group of PCa survivors.
I"m a participant in several PCa support groups in the San Francisco Bay Area where there's no lack of engineers and computer scientists to review the array of recent clinical trials and technical input from PCa conferences like ASCO. I'm also lucky to live near UCSF with its cutting edge research into the disease as well as the Dream Team's development of novel therapies and treatments.
I've found the better support groups can contribute a great deal to both understanding certain therapies in the context of one's individual disease as well as how to think about decision making given disparate views about what to do next and when to do it. Amongst these groups, none, in my view, has a more informed group of men than ANCAN's Intermediate PCa support group. For example, last night not only were there 40 men on the video call but several were extremely knowledgeable and a few were even MDs themselves.
We should be thankful that people like Rick Davis, one of the founders of ANCAN, have committed so much of their lives to helping others. As he likes to say, "Onwards and Upwards."

I've attended 3 sessions and have received so much great information which I can use in assisting my husband's care. He has advanced Prostate Cancer. He is a Veteran and at times, I feel not getting the proper care. He's on Chemotherapy now for the past 2 years.

I look forward to continuing to attend the advanced cancer sessions and especially the caregivers sessions, where I have been able to share with others in my similar situation, my feelings and fears.

They're always there when you need them. The Cancer caregiver support group is helpful. It's given me a place to feel heard and understood as we go through the cancer journey. Good space for healing

As an advanced, aggressive Prostate cancer patient for the last 6.5 years; I have come to appreciate AnCan's forums, blogs and individual help navigating my journey.
The expertise is phenomenal. It provides me a base to discuss my treatment with my health care team.
Very helpful and they keep it somewhat light hearted.

I found them back in 2014 and they really opened my eyes as my journey was about to start. I left for sometime as at the time I was cancer free. I'm in Chemical Recurrence and rejoined the group, they continue to help me along as my journey continues. I always feel great after a group call, everyone is very welcoming and knowledgeable.

This is the group you want to meet with if you have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. The regular on-line meetings are a source of information, dialog, and inspiration. After months of researching my own cancer, being poked and prodded, tested and scanned, I was overwhelmed with data and information. By the end of my first ANCAN meeting I had a refined direction to follow and realized I had found a group of men that not only had knowledge to share but were genuinely concerned for my well being. I'm 7 months post treatment and still join the meetings on a regular basis to share my experiences and enjoy the camaraderie of a great group of people!

I was introduced to ANCAN by a doctor friend of mine. I signed up and began attending the calls two or three times a month. The "guys" Peter, Rick D, Bill, Joe and others are the best! They really stress the importance of being your own strongest and best advocate. After pouring through weeks and months of my own research and nomograms, test, MRI, Biopsy results that i had done. And consultation that I had with 10 - 15 Prostate medical experts, Peter and Rick D. were extremely instrumental in helping me to hone in on what treatment was best for me. The gave me background and specific questions to ask the experts on my follow up appointments. I have met several guys who call in monthly and we have become friends outside of ANCAN support. This group is the best.

I am very thankful,

Rick Aldridge

This is the resource we in he MS community need, especially in these COVID times. Being able to connect who can totally relate to the realities we’re living with (from the comfort of our home) is priceless!

AnCan (Answer Cancer) is extremely valuable for me and for both regular and occasional visitors. As I navigate my advanced cancer, there are so may options and considerations that it takes a team to address them. And , as an AnCan regular for over 4 years, I have gained the ability to be the manager of my disease. I can discuss all the options with a certain degree of confidence and have learned to get the best oncologists and talk to them about complex options and decisions that we (my oncologist and myself) make. I highly recommend AnCan to anyone facing cancer and preparing for the long haul - trying to get to a durable remission, if not a cure. I am alive and want to stay that way if possible. AnCan helps me. I am sure it will help others who have not yet experienced that great value of a solid group of members who readily share their experiences, knowledge, opinions,. and what they believe are the forefront best practices available and how to get them!

I find the AnCan organization to be very informative about the various medications, treatments and doctors available to deal with prostate cancer. Rick, Len & Peter offer a wealth of information with the goal of helping patients and their families make good decisions about treatment options. I am very impressed by the passion and caring these gentlemen demonstrate when conducting their weekly calls. I highly recommend AnCan to anyone who may be seeking advice and counsel regarding treatment of their disease. It does not matter what stage of disease you may be - AnCan is where to go to seek the best path of action for you!

I have been communicating with Rick and others involved with AnCan since the failure of my prostatectomy in 2013-14 and I will never be able to thank them enough! Rick is the backbone of AnCan and has made it the great nonprofit that it is. Kudos!!

AnCan is a tremendous foundation. I strongly recommend AnCan to anyone looking for experienced experts who can help guide you through the many decisions following a cancer diagnosis. After my cancer diagnosis several years ago, I found it difficult to find others with a similar diagnosis and stage of treatment. Then I was introduced to AnCan and found others in my situation and others who have been treated with medications/treatments I am considering. Everyone participating on the phone calls is extremely caring, helpful and can make introductions to doctors and clinics that could support your treatment. A first-class foundation with wonderful members.

I have become a habitual participant in the AnCan "Virtual peer-to-peer groups."
I was diagnosed and had a prostatectomy in 1999. In 2006 I received external beam radiation.
I attended several US Too sessions in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and several PCRI conferences in Los Angeles. I gained superb information regarding my condition. At one of the PCRI I met Rich Davis, who introduced me to Answer Cancer Foundation (AnCan).
My urologist and radiologist are excellent physicians and answered plenty of my questions. However, from time to time, I would have questions and not have the immediately attentions of my physicians (they have a hectic schedule). That's when AnCan came to my rescue!
AnCan's peer to peer sessions filled many of the gaps in my knowledge. Being so grateful to AnCan , I'm now urging family and friends (those with or without cancer) to join some of these excellent sessions.

I've known Rick and the AnCan group for a while in my professional role, and when prostate cancer entered into my family recently, I knew who to reach out to first. They have helped my father-in-law with compassion, dedication, and a great deal of knowledge and experience. Navigating the cancer world following a diagnosis can be tricky; it's hard to know where to even start. If you turn to AnCan, they will be by your side, and help you onto a path that will be right for you.

AnCan was a lifeline for my Dad when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He used the information he obtained on the virtual peer-to-peer support group to do his own research and ask better, more informed questions at his medical appointments. It did so much for his mental health, as well. Sadly, the cancer spread and ultimately took his life so it's his daughter who writes this review in his stead. I just know he'd want to say glowing things if he was able to.

AnCan is a great resource for the MS community. It truly helps people to connect with others nationwide who are living with the same condition. It makes the world a lot smaller and you feel like you’re not facing this disease alone.

Thank God For AnCan they work with our Men from the Male Breast Cancer Coalition to help give more Men With Breast Cancer a Voice! #TogetherWeWillChangetheWORLD that
#MenHaveBreastsToo

An AMAZING friend in the Cancer arena for MEN!

The high risk prostate cancer AnCan is the best source that I know of for overall patient information. Your own doctor may be the best to direct your treatments and answer some specific questions which is needed but sometimes one needs to know the best place for a second opinion or hear opinions from the perspective of other patients. Each patient needs to be his own best advocate and AnCan help you to achieve that.

Outstanding truthful and down to earth discussion of Advanced Prostate Cancer with those who have been through it or are going through it. If you aren't up for the tele-conference interaction all the time like me, you can listen to the recordings and see the dialogue at your own convenience. Can't think of a doctor, clinic or site where I have learned more about my own condition, possible tests and treatments for discusssion with my doctors, or support from the highly personal questions to the latest in clinical study results. I highly recommend AnCan for their innovative virtual support groups.

Aloha,,, Frustrated with care on Maui, Oahu,,, no answers, Need kokua (help), BPH, Prostate enlarged # 10,,, diagnosed obstruction of Prostate,,, taking antibiotics for an infection, til June, then Dr. wants an MRI, BIoposy, Uro-lift,,,,so many ???? I don't want any Uro-lift, TURP,,,etc.. I looking for the opportunity to experienxce, 3 D, MRI-Fusion, treatment, before, during and after,,,IMUA, peace and aloha in all waves, Lopaka

I first met Rick in 2013 a year after my diagnosis with prostate cancer. He became my mentor, and guided me through the next several years of medical appointments and treatments. Two of a number of things that were very important to him was to be prepared with questions for each visit with my oncologist, and to exercise. The questions would make my visits more productive and help me to get a stronger understanding of my disease, treatments options, and research and medication trends. He was right! And right again he was with exercise. I received hormone deprivation therapy and lost all of my muscle mass. Thanks to Rick and his one word on what I needed to do: Exercise, i located a fitness program that specialized in fitness for people with cancer. Along with my oncologist, Rick and exercise saved my life. I'm stronger today than I was before my diagnosis. I'm still in treatment...I'm stage 4.

But then Rick invited me to join his national conference call where I was able to hear from men and their caregivers across the country about their medicational conditions and treatments. It has been an extraordinary learning experience! Nothing is the same in the treatment of this disease, and every man handles it differently. And that is the learning.

It's a great call. Every person who wants to speak has the chance to speak. Or one can just listen. Rick and a couple others moderate the call, and they are able to offer suggestions but not medical advice. For example, what questions you should be asking your doctor. And because it is a national call, Rick and the others have learned a lot about different MD's and programs they can refer people to. And if another guy has a parallel experience, sometimes that guy will share his experience, which is really helpful. You're not alone. We're not alone.

I do not think I would be mentally, emotionally and physically handling my medical situation as well as I am if it weren't for Rick and the others on the call.

It's special group open to everyone. All you have to do is call. It's that simple! I have not found any other organization like this.

AnCan.org is a fundamental resource in my fight against prostate cancer. Soon after I was diagnosed in 2017, Rick Davis, Peter Kafka and other great contributors in this organization helped me find the right centers of excellence, oncologists, radiologists, dieticians, exercise programs and tests to lead my battle. The intelligence, personal support & camaraderie which this organization provides is truly outstanding. I have great comfort in knowing that whatever comes next in my battle against cancer I do not fear it because I have a great bunch of guys will help me work through it ! I value AnCan.org's support on par with that provided by my doctors !

I found AnCan just as my radiation treatment was ending. I needed information, I needed someone to talk to and I needed someone to listen to me. AnCan provided this and more. The level of knowledge, the empathy, the sense of belonging were things I had been seeking and didn't know where to turn to for them. I have attended the High Risk/Advanced group and also the AS/Low Risk group and have learned something every time. Everyone in the group is a patient and can bring their experiences to bear on any problem or issue that arises. I would estimate that, combined, there are well over 100 years of experience available for anyone that is willing to join and ask a question. I have moved from a Client Served to a Volunteer and also a Donor. I know that my time is not going to be wasted, my donation is not going to be wasted and I am going to receive much more than I give. I cannot recommend this group highly enough. AnCan also has other support groups that I am sure are as helpful as the Prostate Cancer group has been to me. The organization was founded to help and it does.

I originally started going to a local advanced prostate cancer support group in Silicon Valley, after my diagnosis but prior to starting treatment, and that opened my eyes to mistakes I was about to make in my treatment and the importance of getting multiple opinions. That local group is quite excellent for a source of information, but is obviously not an option for people outside the local area.

This online group, moderated by Rick, is an excellent resource that is of course available anywhere. This particular group is focused on high-risk and advanced prostate cancer, so is a higher-level resource beyond the more common basic prostate cancer groups. It is very hard-nosed technical and keeps up with new therapies and studies. I check in perhaps once a month and there is always one or two tidbits that I pick up. Prostate cancer is a complicated beast and treatment must be very individualized and must adapt over time. The value of this group is that it sensitizes the patient to treatment options that can then be discussed with your doctor. The group also keeps track of the best practitioners and the thought leaders in the country who can provide second opinions, and has relationships with many of these leaders which can facilitate introductions. Also this group is aware of clinical trials which can give access to drugs or therapies that are not yet FDA approved. Finally, an implied benefit of this group is the recognition that advanced prostate cancer can be managed over time, especially by the informed patient.

New visitors are encouraged to present their story for 10 minutes or so, including as much technical detail as they have available about their diagnosis, test results, procedures and outcomes, and to present what questions or concerns that they may have. Then Rick will comment and go around the group to see what other comments people may have about your situation. These comments usually include suggestions for things to discuss with your doctor or other opinions to solicit.

One concern I have is with privacy of the on-line recordings. It is just a bit weird to have names published and audio available to anyone or any machine. The recordings themselves are great, and give you a good way to check out the group at your convenience. And they are very nicely annotated and the transcriptions are decent but not perfect (probably automated) and there is even a keyword search feature. But I don’t like that it is all freely available to any online robot that is scooping up information. I would suggest that having a simple password to gain access would be much better; not perfect but better. Rick could provide that password to anyone interested, or maybe a registration process could give access.

In summary, I think such support groups are tremendous resources and this online group gives that access to anyone, anywhere. It is particularly valuable because it focuses on advanced prostate cancer where many local groups may not. That is why I voted with my wallet and gave them a donation to support such work.

This is an absolutely outstanding service for those recently diagnosed with cancer. I have participated in their twice-monthly calls for men with low and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The people who run the call have referred me to experts and cancer centers I would never have learned about otherwise. It is truly a wonderful service.

I recently joined an AnCan virtual support group (i.e., regular conference calls several times a month). The members of the group, and it moderators, have been amazingly knowledgeable and supportive. I strongly recommend AnCan to any guy looking for answers and camaraderie.

J. Ward

In 2015, at the age of 51, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Two months after a prostatectomy, I experienced a rapid rise in PSA and was told I would need to go on hormone deprivation therapy and it was also recommended that I be treated with adjuvant radiation therapy. Not only was I devastated that my initial treatment for prostate cancer didn't "work", I was also apprehensive about what my life would be like while undergoing the recommended treatments and therapies. That is when I found the Answer Cancer Foundation and their series of on-line support groups and calls.

My fellow members of this Reluctant Brotherhood, as we somewhat sarcastically refer to ourselves, were supportive, informative, and provided abundant encouragement from day one. After 22 months of androgen deprivation therapy on the drug Lupron and the subsequent radiation treatments, I continued my association with the organization as a source of continued information, camaraderie and friendship.

Today, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Answer Cancer Foundation and donate my time back to the group that helped me so much when I really needed it. It is the least I could, and will continue, to do.

AnCan is a tremendous resource offering real-world experience and actionable data. The caring folks associated with this foundation are selfless in the way they interact with those who seek their help. In my case, AnCan was largely instrumental in my being able to understand the challenges in my cancer diagnosis, affording me remarkable insight into navigating the sea of available treatments and understanding my options. I highly recommend getting in touch with this foundation.