Grant: Project Grant

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in Canada, with around 23,000 new cases each year. Some prostate cancers grow slowly and may not require aggressive treatment, while others can be more aggressive and need prompt intervention. Accurately identifying the type of prostate cancer is crucial to ensure patients receive the right treatment without unnecessary side effects, but current diagnostic methods can be time-consuming and leave doctors without critical information. Our research seeks to address this issue by combining advanced imaging technology, called stimulated Raman histology (SRH), with artificial intelligence (AI). SRH allows us to examine prostate tissue in real-time without damaging it, while AI helps analyze the data quickly and accurately. By also incorporating genetic information we aim to develop a tool that can predict how prostate cancer will behave and how extensive a treatment is required for each patient. With the support of this grant, we plan to prove that SRH combined with AI can quickly and accurately diagnose prostate cancer, create a computer model that uses SRH images to determine the aggressiveness of the cancer, and use genetic data to identify different types of prostate cancer. This research could lead to better outcomes for prostate cancer patients by ensuring they receive the most appropriate care for their specific type of prostate cancer, demonstrating how modern technology can improve health outcomes and quality of life for those diagnosed with prostate cancer.