Massachusetts Legislators, Advocates and Physicians to Declare Prostate Cancer a Public Health Priority at State House Event

"Model of National Leadership" to be created and groundbreaking research to be presented

BOSTON, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Massachusetts leaders will gather at the State House today for Prostate Cancer Awareness Day to proclaim prostate cancer as a public priority in Massachusetts and a health care crisis in African American men, and discuss recent advances in early diagnosis and treatment. Senate President Therese Murray will announce a Governor's Proclamation of September 15 as a Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Awareness Day for the first time in the history of the state.

"Prostate cancer affects a staggering number of men - as many as 1 in 6, yet very few of us acknowledge this disease publicly," said Senator Stephen Brewer, Chair of Joint Committee on Ways and Means and a prostate cancer survivor. "We hope that with today's event, Massachusetts will create a national model in making prostate cancer a public health priority."

Senate President Therese Murray, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Boston Bruins Icon and NBC sports analyst Mike Milbury are to be featured. This event will be hosted by the AdMeTech Foundation, jointly with Senator Brewer, Representative Stephen Kulick, Vice Chair of Joint Committee on Ways and Means, and held in cooperation with Senator Kenneth Donnelly, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and Senator Susan Fargo, Senate Chair of the Joint Public Health Committee and Co-Chair of the Health Disparities Council. With unprecedented support from key legislators, advocacy groups and leaders of medicine, it will be held in honor of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  Senator Brewer, Senator Donnelly, and Representative Kulik will highlight their personal battles with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common major cancer in Massachusetts and the second most lethal cancer in men. African American men are impacted disproportionately, with 250% higher mortality and 60% higher incidence. In spite of the magnitude of the prostate cancer epidemic, men do not have accurate diagnostic tools for early detection and treatment that are critical for saving lives.

At the event, groundbreaking research from Massachusetts General Hospital will be presented. Anna Moore, PhD, Associate Professor in Radiology, Harvard Medical School and Zdravka Medarova, PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, will report on a novel urinary test that may improve early detection of prostate cancer.

"With today's event, we hope to be able to look at the world-leading, cutting-edge education, research and innovation in Massachusetts," said Faina Shtern, MD, President and CEO, AdMeTech Foundation. "With support from Mr. Milbury, the Governor's Office and local leaders in legislation, medicine, advocacy and industry, this represents a significant step toward recognition of the prostate cancer crisis as a national health care priority."

ABOUT ADMETECH FOUNDATION: A Boston-based non-profit organization which conducts ground-breaking programs in research, education and awareness to advance diagnostic tools for improved early detection and treatment of prostate cancer (visit www.admetech.org).

SOURCE AdMeTech Foundation

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED