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Prostate Net Announces: Major Medical Education Initiative for Patients, Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals

Posted on: Monday, 24 August 2009, 09:25 CDT

HACKENSACK, N.J.; Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Virgil H. Simons, Founder and President of The Prostate Net announced the organization's latest major initiative in the fight against prostate cancer. A day-long, dual-track educational symposium targeting patients, caregivers and medical professionals will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at New York University, Kimmel Center for University Life in New York City. Joined by Keynote Speaker, Donald Coffey, PhD, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a world-class faculty of prostate cancer specialists will present and discuss contemporary information and issues confronting the disease. "We believe a specific awareness and educational effort, targeted to both patients and professionals, within an unique dual-track environment can provide symposium participants access to those world-class health professionals, whose work form disease management policy and best standard of care," said Simons. "This initiative will provide access to information for both patients and professionals, not normally readily available, as to the best standards of care based on leading edge research and clinical practice." Following the October 6th model, The Prostate Net plans on convening a series of regional educational initiatives starting in 2010.

Prostate Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of male cancer death globally and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men. As the baby boom generation matures, more and more men will be diagnosed with the disease. While there has been some progress in disease mortality reduction over the past decade, there still remains significant disease specific issues relative to risk awareness, advanced stage disease management, treatment options, as well as the reduction and/or elimination of pain and suffering attendant to a diagnosis of prostate cancer. The October 6th Symposium will address these crucial issues.

In addition to the symposium, which includes breakfast, lunch and a program syllabus, a patient-forum, comprised of prostate cancer patients, will be convened to poll patients on a number of issues designed to garner information that will assist in providing future materials, educational and/or interventions to help ensure quality care and maximize outcomes. Thousands of men have learned about, and been screened for, prostate cancer through The Prostate Net's public education initiatives. Additionally, these programs foster relationships between public health departments, medical center outreach teams, cancer education researchers and the public.

Additional information about The Prostate Net's many initiatives, including the October 6th Symposium, questions or to register, please go to http://theprostatenet.org/Symposium.html or call: 1.888.477.6763.

The Prostate Net wishes to acknowledge the generous support received from AstraZeneca, Purdue Pharma, GTx, Genentech Amgen, and Sanofi-Aventis Oncology which makes this initiative possible.

About The Prostate Net

Virgil H. Simons founded The Prostate Net in 1996 as a result of his own encounter with prostate cancer. When he was diagnosed, there was little to no readily accessible information to help prostate cancer patients and their families make informed treatment decisions.

Today, men diagnosed with prostate cancer can readily access The Prostate Net's website to find information empowering them to make treatment decisions that ensure a desirable quality of life. Recognizing that people absorb information differently, The Prostate Net also features PodCasts, Web Casts and an opt-in cell cast network as well as a Toll-Free "Hotline" for those seeking one-to-one support. The website also is an educational vehicle for the public to learn about prostate cancer in general. The Prostate Net's newsletter, "In The Know," may be viewed on the website, but is available through free subscription as well as also distributed in conjunction with our other public education initiatives.

The job of raising public awareness about prostate cancer risks is far from complete. The Prostate Net seeks to expand its current initiatives through effective partnerships in disease education, community intervention and population research studies. This site has been designed to provide you with some of those tools and guidance that can be employed on a local basis to address particular issues for your community or organization. For more information on The Prostate Net, please go to: www.theprostatenet.org or call toll-free: 1.888.477.6763

SOURCE The Prostate Net

Source: PR Newswire

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