LUNGevity and GRACE Present Seminar on Molecular Markers in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit in partnership with Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education (GRACE) brings top experts together to share diverse perspectives on appropriate use of a potentially powerful tool in treatment of lung cancer

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, in partnership with GRACE, continues its 2012 thought leader webinar series with "Molecular Markers in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Who to Test and What to Test For." The webinar, taking place Wednesday, February 22, from 6:30 p.m. EST to 8:30 p.m. EST, will bring together four experts from different clinical settings to address the use of molecular testing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

The featured experts will discuss molecular testing for easy understanding by lung cancer patients and their loved ones, including what this cutting edge technology could ultimately mean to them and their treatment. The free webinar is also designed to provide the latest information to researchers, nurse oncologists, medical professionals, interested reporters, and others engaged with the lung cancer community.

The webinar will address critical issues such as:  

• Identifying the kinds of molecular changes that have occurred in cancer tumors
• What scientists should be looking for when they conduct the testing
• The significance of various markers that have been identified in tumors
• Debate concerning conducting molecular biomarker testing on every lung cancer patient
• Why some molecular testing isn't yet able to be translated into the clinical setting

LUNGevity will be broadcasting the live panel discussion from Santa Monica, Calif. in conjunction with the 12th Annual Targeted Therapies of the Treatment of Lung Cancer Meeting hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). The participating experts include:           

• Dr. Alice Shaw, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass.
• Dr. Charlie Rudin, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
• Dr. David Spigel, Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, Nashville, Tenn.
• Dr. Glen Goss, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The program will include group discussions on a wide range of controversial questions in molecular testing and brief presentations by the panelists on key elements of this complex topic. Presenters will also respond to questions from the live webinar audience.

To register, interested participants should visit the "Ask the Experts" section of LUNGevity's website: www.lungevity.org . For those unable to attend the live presentation, it will be accessible as a series of free podcasts on LUNGevity's website at a later date. Stay tuned to the LUNGevity website for future scheduled webinars.

LUNGevity has the largest grants award program for lung cancer research among lung cancer nonprofit organizations in the United States. In 2011 alone, it awarded $2 million to fund nine of the most promising lung cancer research proposals in the areas of early detection and targeted therapeutics.  Through the support of critical research, as well as providing information, resources and a community to patients and caregivers, LUNGevity is creating and sharing hope for cures, treatments and enhanced quality of life for lung cancer patients.                                                                                              

GRACE is a nonprofit that seeks to improve medical care for cancer patients by democratizing access to cutting edge information on optimal cancer management. LUNGevity and GRACE partner on the webinar series to provide helpful and accessible resources to the lung cancer community.

About LUNGevity Foundation
The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients, and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer.

In order to accomplish its mission, LUNGevity funds the most promising research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer. LUNGevity also supports the largest national grassroots lung cancer network, as well as the largest online support community for those affected by lung cancer.

The organization was recently awarded the coveted four-star charity ranking by Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator, based on LUNGevity's sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer. 

For more information, please visit www.lungevity.org.

SOURCE LUNGevity Foundation