African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit

LEADERS JOIN THE PROSTATE HEALTH EDUCATION NETWORK (PHEN) AT AFRICAN AMERICAN PROSTATE CANCER DISPARITY SUMMIT

Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), and Healthcare Leaders to Convene on Capitol Hill, September 21-22nd

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - The Second Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit (the Summit), hosted by the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) aims to confront the current disparity leaving black men dying at more than twice (2.4 times) the rate of any other race from prostate cancer. During this two-day Summit, prostate cancer survivors, advocates, community leaders, researchers, and policy-makers will come together to present and review information, analyze existing programs, and explore new initiatives to address the prostate cancer disparity. The discussions aim to raise awareness and to foster common understandings, as well as to form a strategic framework that will lead towards eliminating the racial disparity.

Highlighted activities during September 21-23rd include:

Thursday, September 21st

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Congressional Opening Ceremonies—A Call to Action

PHEN has invited Congressional leaders from the states that suffer the highest prostate cancer death rates for black men to speak about how this issue is impacting their Districts. Invited leaders include: Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC); Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC); and Congressman Melvin L. Watt (D-NC).

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Why the African American Prostate Cancer Disparity?

An in-depth look at reasons why African Americans have a 60% higher incidence rate of prostate cancer than all other men, resulting in a 150% higher mortality rate. Participants from four of US News & World Report’s top five nationally-ranked best Cancer Centers will explore actions that should be undertaken to eliminate this disparity of epidemic proportions.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon Program with Focus on Legislative Initiatives

Summit Co-hosts Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks will join Thomas A. Farrington, President, PHEN, to introduce proposed legislation recognizing the African American prostate cancer disparity as a national epidemic that must be eliminated. Other Congressional leaders who will show their support includes: Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD); Congressman Artur Davis (D-AL); Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY); and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA).

Friday, September 22nd

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Early Detection Screening—The Benefits, Risks and Debate

There is an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of early detection screening for prostate cancer, and this session will explore the known benefits and risks for black men. Urology and technology experts representing AdMeTech; Johns Hopkins Cancer Center; Harvard Medical School; and University of Florida, will discuss new screening technologies and their effectiveness in eliminating the disparity.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Luncheon Presentation of Groundbreaking Cancer Vaccine

Dr. Mitchell Gold, President and CEO of the Dendreon Company. Dendreon is in phase three trials for a groundbreaking prostate cancer vaccine (PROVENGE) and plans to file an application with the FDA for approval this year. The Summit will examine the potential for this vaccine to reduce the African-American prostate cancer death rate.

Saturday, September 23rd

10:00 a.m.-Full Day
Howard University Cancer Center—Prostate Cancer Screening Event

Howard University is the nation’s only African American cancer center. The screening van will test African American men for prostate cancer, as this group suffers the world’s worst prostate cancer conditions.

Where:
Summit Events, Panels, and Luncheons
Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2168)
Washington, DC 20515

Howard University Prostate Cancer Screening Event
Prince Hall Masonic Temple
1000 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

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