Toronto , June 10, 2004 – A new book for the more than 30,000 men facing prostate surgery in Canada each year was launched today at Toronto General Hospital , a member of the University Health Network (Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals ).

So You’re Having Prostate Surgery is the ultimate guide for patients looking for more information on surgical procedures for both prostate cancer and benign prostate enlargement.

So You’re Having Prostate Surgery tells men with prostate problems everything they need to know about prostate surgery —including the alternatives—in a balanced, easy-to-use format, step by step. It is authored by Leah Jamnicky RN, an experienced urology nurse co-ordinator at Toronto General Hospital , and Dr. Robert Nam, an award-winning researcher and staff urologist at Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, the comprehensive cancer program at Sunnybrook & Women’s.

“Prostate cancer accounts for 28% of all newly diagnosed cancers in men. Although it’s being detected earlier and earlier, many men will face the prospect of surgery,” said Dr. Robert Nam. “This is the first guide that takes Canadian men through the decision-making process, step-by-step.”

“Surgery for prostate cancer is not a simple decision,” said Ms. Jamnicky. “There are many other options, including doing nothing, and men have a difficult time weighing up the various alternatives—and the risks.”

The aim of So You’re Having Prostate Surgery—What Happens Next? is to support men through the decision process, during the procedure, and afterwards.

“Our hope is that this book will empower men to be comfortable with their medical choices—whatever they decide,” said Ms. Jamnicky.

“It's perfect. It's easy to understand," said prostate cancer survivor Mr. Aaron Bacher. Mr. Bacher is Chairman of the Toronto Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group, a group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. "When considering prostate surgery, most men have no idea what to expect. This book helps by giving a lot of useful information about what happens before, during and after your surgery," said Mr. Bacher. "I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about having the surgery."

So You’re Having Prostate Surgery—What Happens Next? is available in bookstores and on-line at www.wiley.com.

The prostate is a small gland the size of a walnut at the base of the bladder in men that contributes fluid to the semen. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, one in 8 men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime and one in 25 will die of it. In 2004, an estimated 20,100 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), benign enlargement of the prostate, affects 50% of men aged 50 to 60. It can be treated with medication or surgery.

So You’re Having Prostate Surgery–What Happens Next? is the fourth book in the WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?® Surgery Guide series. Prostate was produced with the support of educational grants from pharmaceutical companies Ortho Biotech, Pfizer Canada Inc., and Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc.

The WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? ^® Surgery Guides are written by medical professionals expert in their field and tell patients everything they need to know about their procedure. Originally created by SCRIPT Medical Press Inc., a Toronto publishing company, the Surgery Guides have recently been licensed worldwide to international publishers John Wiley & Sons Inc., and US editions are now appearing in bookstores south of the border.

Toronto General Hospital is a partner in University Health Network, along with Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals . The scope of research and complexity of cases at Toronto General Hospital has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It has one of the largest hospital-based research programs in Canada , with major research projects in cardiology, transplantation, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, and genomic medicine. Toronto General Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto .

Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre is transforming health care through the dedication of its more than 10,000 staff members who provide compassionate and innovative patient focused care.  An internationally recognized leader in women’s health, academic research and education and an affiliation with the University of Toronto distinguish Sunnybrook & Women’s as one of Canada ’s premier health sciences centres.  Sunnybrook & Women’s specializes in caring for newborns, adults and the elderly, treating and preventing cancer, heart problems, orthopaedic and arthritic conditions and traumatic injuries.  Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre is the comprehensive cancer program at Sunnybrook & Women’s, a Cancer Care Ontario partner and fully affiliated with the University of Toronto .

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For more information about So You’re Having Prostate Surgery, please contact:

Helen Byrt, SCRIPT Medical Press Inc. Tel: 416 485 7387; Cell: 416-871-7387