UCSF Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor

CaPSURE™ is a longitudinal, observational study of more than 13,800 patients with all stages of biopsy-proven prostate cancer. Patients have been enrolled from 37 community urology practices, three academic medical centers and three VA hospitals throughout the United States since the inception of the project in 1995. Twenty-three sites actively participate in the study.

Physicians provide comprehensive clinical assessments of their patients who have consented to be in the study, gathering the following data:

• methods of screening;
• PSA values at diagnosis and at every patient visit;
• biopsy and pathologic Gleason grade;
• clinical and pathologic staging;
• positive surgical margins;
• initial and secondary treatments used;
• results of all lab tests including digital rectal exams, biopsies, and other diagnostic tests.

Patients contribute data about their quality of life and satisfaction with care before and at regular intervals after treatment:

• urinary, bowel, and sexual function;
• general health;
• lifestyle modification needed after diagnosis or treatment of prostate cancer;
• satisfaction with medical care.

CaPSURE™ research findings have expanded knowledge of prostate cancer risk prediction, diagnostic trends, treatment patterns, outcomes and quality of life. CaPSURE™ investigators have published more than 125 articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented over 200 papers at professional conferences. Residents, medical students and fellows have authored many of the publications under the direction of senior investigators. The experience gained by these junior investigators has helped to shape and accomplish career goals.

If your urology practice is interested in becoming a core research CaPSURE™ site, please contact Jeanette Broering, RN, MS, MPH Director of Data Procurement and Quality Assurance.

The CaPSURE™ study is funded and coordinated by the UCSF Department of Urology.

Click here for details about working with CaPSURE data.

UCSF Scholars Program

The CaPSURE™ Study seeks applicants for the UCSF CaPSURE™ Scholars Program in Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research. The goals of the scholarship are to advance prostate cancer research and to support the career development of young investigators. Research topics include clinical outcomes, utilization of health care resources and quality of life.

Since 1999, scholarships have been offered to qualified residents and fellows at accredited US training institutions. Scholars, working from their home institutions, formulate research plans under the mentorship of senior CaPSURE™ investigators. Mentoring is conducted through email, telephone consultations and in-person meetings. Scholars, UCSF statistical analysts and mentors work together to complete the project within the study year.

Each Scholar receives a monetary stipend to fund presentation of results at a national meeting. Results also are submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

The UCSF CaPSURE™ Scholars Program is administered by the UCSF Department of Urology. Complete details about this program are in the fellowship area of our webpage.

Diet, exercise, quality of life, and prostate cancer progression

Diet, exercise, quality of life, and prostate cancer progression are being studied with funding from the Department of Defense. In this diet and lifestyle sub-study within CaPSURE we are examining modifiable dietary and exercise-related risk factors for prostate cancer progression, and their associations with quality of life among men with prostate cancer. This project addresses whether changing diet and activity level after diagnosis has any effect on the risk of prostate cancer progression and mortality. Survey questions asked patients about:

• smoking;
• exercise levels;
• current food consumption;
• dietary changes;
• vitamin/mineral supplement use.

Certain diet and lifestyle practices may help men reduce their risk of progression and improve their health-related quality of life.

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Contents of This Page

Faculty

Key Staff

Jeanette Broering, RN, MS, MPH, Director of Data Procurement and Quality Assurance
jbroering@urology.ucsf.edu
415/514-0203

UCSF CaPSURE Scholars Program
Janet Cowan
Programmer Analyst & CaPSURE Scholars Coordinator
jcowan@urology.ucsf.edu

Appointments and Location

Academic Administration
The activities of the CaPSURE program are managed at the Mount Zion Medical Center

Publications

Searchable Publication Database

News