At the Prostate Cancer Centre (PCC), research is woven into every part of the patient journey. Lora is the manager of the clinical research team and is long-standing member at PCC for over eight years. We sat down with Lora to learn more about how the PCC’s research department is transforming care for men with prostate and other urologic diseases.
A Vital Role in Patient Care
“The research department at the Prostate Cancer Centre plays a vital role in our mission to improve the lives of men affected by prostate and other urologic cancers,” Lora begins. “As a non-profit organization and one of the top clinical research facilities in Canada, we’re committed to providing innovative, evidence-based genitourinary care through research, education, and treatment.”
This commitment is backed by a team of passionate clinical research professionals who work closely with patients, physicians, and partners to explore new treatments and improve outcomes.
“By embedding research into all aspects of care, we ensure our patients benefit from the latest medical advancements while contributing to future breakthroughs,” Lora explains.
From Early Detection to Survivorship
The PCC’s research program covers the full spectrum of prostate cancer care. “We’re conducting studies on everything from early detection and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship,” says Lora. “This includes trials exploring new devices and imaging technologies, targeted therapies, hormone treatments, and immunotherapies.”
In addition to clinical trials, the team supports investigator-led observational studies that provide valuable insights into disease patterns, treatment outcomes, and quality of life.
The research at PCC doesn’t stop at prostate cancer. PCC has expanded its research scope to include kidney cancer, chronic scrotal pain, and, more recently, bladder cancer. “We’re actively engaged in studies on kidney cancer and chronic scrotal pain, and we’re preparing to launch new bladder cancer trials involving cystoscopies and bladder instillations,” she adds.
Why Research Matters
Lora emphasized that research is central to the PCC’s mission. “As a non-profit organization committed to excellence in patient care, research is at the core of what we do. It fuels innovation, improves treatment options, and helps us better understand the needs of the patients we serve.”
This approach not only allows the PCC to offer patients the most advanced care, it also positions the PCC as a leader in the fight against cancer, both in Alberta and across Canada.
Real Impact for Real People
The true impact of the PCC’s clinical research is seen every day in the lives of its patients. “Clinical trials offer access to leading-edge therapies, often years before they’re widely available,” Lora explains. “And our studies on pain management and survivorship help us improve the patient experience long after treatment ends.”
For many, participating in a clinical trial becomes more than just receiving care, it’s a chance to contribute to a greater cause. “Our patients become part of something larger: advancing science and shaping better outcomes for future generations.”
A New Era of Innovation
To support this growing vision, the PCC is launching the Innovation Suite, an on-site, custom-designed space that will expand the PCC’s research and clinical trial capabilities.
“This new suite will allow us to support more complex and procedure-based studies, especially in bladder cancer,” Lora says. Equipped to conduct procedures such as cystoscopies and bladder instillations on-site, the Innovation Suite will offer additional clinical capabilities for research studies that will give patients access to more treatment options.
“Most importantly, it will help us offer new treatment options to patients who have exhausted standard therapies,” she adds. “By bringing more clinical trial procedures under one roof, we’ll improve patient experience and stay at the forefront of urologic innovation.”
Research is more than a department, it’s a lifeline. At the Prostate Cancer Centre, it means hope, progress, and more tomorrows for patients and their families. With Lora and her team leading the charge, the future of urologic cancer care is brighter than ever.