Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP)
PC-PEP is designed to improve the mental health, treatment-related side effects, and long-term physical health of men diagnosed with prostate cancer. PCPEP is a freely available adjunct to conventional care, and can be combined with other health promotion programs.
Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) Description
PC-PEP is a 6-month home-based comprehensive health-promotion program for men with a diagnosis of PC. The elements of the program include daily emails and videos which teach and encourage men to:
• Exercise – daily aerobic, strength training by video twice per week
• Pelvic floor exercises – 3 times 10min per day (videos, text reminders)
• Relaxation technique using biofeedback – 10min per day
• Healthy dietary advice and relationship teaching via daily video
• Optional social support (Call two co-participants once a week, and or monthly videoconference with all men on program).
Dr. David Bell, Urologist, QE2, Halifax
Overview of the PCPEP Program (10 minute video)
Podium Presentation 2022 Canadian Urologic Association (Dr. Ilie)
Referring Patients to the Program
Our goal is to make it very easy for you to refer your patients to the program, by either of the following referral pathways:
1. Direct your PC patients to PCPEP.org. Our team will screen for, consent, and train eligible patients. We can share advertising materials you can use in your clinic.
2. Partner with us in research. Our team will help you with the participating site, data sharing and research agreements, REB submission, screening, consent and training as per the agreements. We will construct webpages on this website specifically designed for your patients.
Eligibility of Patients
Any patient with a prostate cancer diagnosis can be referred to PCPEP if they
-Have an expected survival > 2 years (includes patients on active surveillance all the way to metastatic disease)
-Are safe to do aerobic exercise and strength training. Learn more here.
-Are willing and able to read a daily email and watch a daily youtube video for six months
-Agree to participate in our phase 4 trial which asks them to fill out an online quality of life survey 4 times in 2 years. Contact us to learn more about the trial (see form below).
Drawing on Existing Prostate Supportive Care Programming
PCPEP is as an additional resource which can be done in tandem or sequentially with programs being offered at your clinic or elsewhere. The patients you refer will be instructed to follow the advice offered by you / your medical team (which trumps any advice offered by PCPEP). We have created webpages for allied professionals which explain the program in greater detail:
1. Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (Kegels) Expert – learn more here
2. Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) / Exercise Trainer – learn more here
Next steps
Pictured: Urologists and Radiation Oncologists from Saint John Regional Hospital – Horizon health Network, NB
If you would like to learn more about the program please contact us at PEP@NSHealth.ca or fill out the contact form below.
We would be happy arrange a zoom videoconference with you / your team. Let us know if there’s anything else we can do to facilitate offering PCPEP to your patients.
Gabriela Ilie, PhD, DMRF Endowed Soillse Scientist in Prostate Cancer Quality of Life Research, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University
Rob Rutledge MD FRCPC, Radiation Oncologist, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University
Please contact us / research coordinator here
PEP@nshealth.ca or call 902-237-6277 or fill out the contact form.
Address: Soillse Prostate Cancer Quality of Life Research Lab Room 202, 5 Victoria, VG Site
1276 South Park Street Halifax, NS B3H 2Y9