FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kate Lagreca
ONE YEAR OUT:
Boston Non-Profit Kicks Off Plans for First-Ever
Global Summit on New, Precision Diagnostics for
Prostate Cancer
BOSTON, MA, October 20, 2015—AdMeTech Foundation today hosted a kick-off breakfast to launch the first-ever Global Summit on Diagnostic Solutions for Prostate Cancer Care, which is planned for September 16-18, 2016 and aimed at realizing the mission of precision care–giving every man the best chance for prostate health.
This Summit will bring together for the first time the world authorities on multi-disciplinary precision diagnostics for discussions on how recent advances in molecular biomarkers, imaging, genetics and genomics have been transforming screening, early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
The kick-off breakfast, held by the Host Committee for the Massachusetts Program in Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education, served as an organizing effort for the Global Summit. The attendees also heard an update on AdMeTech Foundation’s educational workshops integrated with individual, family and group counseling and held with the goal to bring the cutting-edge advances in patient care to the most vulnerable and underserved communities in the state.
Creating a Massachusetts model of national leadership in eliminating prostate cancer as a leading health care disparity and improving patient care for all men, this program is conducted by the AdMeTech Foundation in cooperation with the leaders of medicine, legislation, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition, Men of Color Health Awareness in Springfield, Mosaic Cultural Complex and its Barbershop Health Network in Worcester, New England Area Conference of NAACP and faith-based organizations, such as Leon DeJuda Congregation in Boston and Fellowship of Hispanic Pastors of New England.
“Early detection of life-threatening diseases is a great equalizer. Several weeks ago, National Cancer Institute released new data, showing that Massachusetts’ investment in breast cancer awareness paid off – Health Objectives 2010 in reducing mortality for all women were achieved,” said Dr. Faina Shtern, President & CEO of AdMeTech Foundation. “We failed, however, to fulfill similar objectives in prostate cancer mortality for Black (including Hispanic) men, and prostate cancer remains a leading health care disparity in the Commonwealth. With state’s support for prostate cancer awareness and education akin to that of breast cancer, we will be able to save lives of our men, as well.”
According to AdMeTech Foundation, prostate cancer is the most common major malignancy in the U.S. and in Massachusetts, yet fewer men undergo screening compared to women’s screening with life-saving mammograms. Though prostate cancer is curable when detected early, it takes the lives of about 30,000 American men and over 600 Massachusetts men every year. With 2.5 times higher mortality in men of color, prostate cancer has emerged as a greater health care disparity than any other malignancies, cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and/or obesity.
The First Global Summit on Diagnostic Solutions for Prostate Cancer Care, scheduled for September 16-18, 2016 in Boston, will be the culminating feature of a multi-faceted statewide prostate cancer education and awareness campaign. Supported by the leaders of the state legislation and funded by the Department of Public Health, this campaign has included statewide community outreach and educational events, designed to parallel the widespread and successful programs in breast cancer awareness and education. The campaign is focused on men at high-risk of prostate cancer and seeks to save lives, improve quality of life, and reduce health care costs.
The breakfast’s speaking program included Juan Cofield, President of the New England Area Conference of NAACP who also serves as Chair of the Host Committee; Dr. Roberto Miranda, Senior Pastor of the Congregation León de Judá; and Dr. Clare Tempany, Professor and Ferenc Jolesz Chair of Radiology Research, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Carolyn Reul, an executive from Hitachi-Aloka Medical America, announced its co-sponsorship of the campaign. The campaign is also co-sponsored by Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson + Johnson, Hitachi, Phillips, and Steward Health Care.
The breakfast event attendees included representatives from Bayer Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Neighborhood Health Plan and other organizations.
