Foundation For Cancer Research & Education
Post Office Box 746
Earlysville, Virginia 22936
800-305-2432

Media Contact:
Rod Schecter
Public Relations Director
Foundation for Cancer Research & Education
1-800-305-2432
rschecter@pageperfectmedia.com

International Conference On Prostate Cancer, 2006

June 26, 2006, Charlottesville, VA: The Foundation For Cancer Researchand Education (FCRE) and Us TOO International take great pleasure in announcing their second annual patient advocacy conference to be held October 19-22 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston Virginia.

Renamed the International Conference On Prostate Cancer (ICPC) to account for the growing body of attendees who will be coming from all over the world, the ICPC seeks to provide a venue for patients and their families to get a steady grip on this variable and often misdiagnosed disease.

"Geographic boundaries are no obstacle," says FCRE President, world-renowned prostate cancer oncologist, and prostate cancer survivor, Dr. Charles "Snuffy" Myers who is moderating and also speaking at the event. "Our goal is to educate the most patients possible both here and across the pond." But with patients coming from as far as Australia, the ICPC’s reach expands even farther than that.

Originally created to provide patients with much-needed information, the ICPC also seeks to unite patients in their fight against prostate cancer by providing them with an emotional support system in what some view as a solitary struggle. By offering men and their loved ones these support opportunities along with cutting-edge lectures from today’s best medical practitioners, all groups involved hope to create a common information stream from which patients can drink in both life-saving knowledge and hope.

With last year’s success under their belts, both groups are confident the ICPC will draw even more men into this empowering environment.

"The more men we reach the more advocates we have to spread the message that cancer is not a death sentence," says Jim Waldenfels of the Virginia Prostate Cancer Coalitionãalso a survivor. "Last year’s event was a real rally for the prostate cancer community. With all of the last minute press and walk-in registrants, the result was inspiring." This year speakers include leading practitioners, such as David Bostwick, MD, MBA; E. David Crawford, MD; Michael Dattoli, MD; Gary Onik, MD; Oliver Sartor, MD; Ashutosh Tewari, MD; and many others. For a complete speaker list go to www.cancer-foundation.org. Us TOO International will also be offering "caring and sharing" sessions to deal with the often debilitating emotional aspects of this disease.

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers with approximately 232,090 new cases in the United States alone. While many of the newest treatments are highly effective, there is still no cure, and many men still remain unaware of the treatment options available to them. It is only through excellence in education that patients receive the information that can ultimately save their lives. Registration for the ICPC 2006 is $100 a person until September 1 and $125 thereafter. Tickets for the Gala Dinner are $50 a person. For conference details or to register, call 718-522-7512 or go to www.cancer-foundation.org. (There’s a $5 discount for those who register online). For hotel reservations call 800-233-1234. Other sponsors include PAACT and the Dattoli Cancer Foundation & Brachytherapy Research Institute

"We’re really excited to bring all of these people together again," says Thomas Kirk, President and CEO of Us TOO International. "It’s important to let men know they are not alone in their treatment. This is what patient advocacy is all about."

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The Foundation for Cancer Research and Education (FCRE) is dedicated to educating cancer patients about prevention and treatment in the context of their overall health. With science based on the most well designed research protocols, FCRE’s goal is to prolong patients’ lives by making them active participants in their own treatment. For more information or for a list of FCRE’s outreach programs call 800-305-2432 or go to www.cancer-foundation.org.

Us TOO is a not-for-profit organization providing information, counseling and educational meetings to assist men with prostate disease (and their spouses / partners) in making decisions about their treatment with confidence and support. Us TOO chapter meetings are free and open to newly diagnosed patients, patients currently in their treatment regimen, survivors, family members, friends and healthcare professionals interested in prostate disease. For questions go to 800-808-7866 or log on at www.ustoo.org