Free Public Forum Offers Florida Residents Opportunity to Talk with Leading Cancer Researchers; American Association for Cancer Research Holds Forum March 27 in Orlando

3/16/2004

From: Rosalind D'Eugenio of the American Association for Cancer Research, 203-325-8772, ext. 13

News Advisory:

Four out of every 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, but thanks to amazing strides in cancer research over the past three decades new diagnostic tools and treatments save more and more lives each day. In the United States alone, 10 million people can say they have survived cancer.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) seeks to share the wealth of knowledge that scientists have learned about cancer and to bring a message of hope to all those who have been affected by the disease -- that tens of thousands of people around the world are working tirelessly to ultimately conquer cancer, that major advances are being made and that knowledge is power when it comes to fighting this disease.

The latest research findings in cancer prevention and treatment are just some of the topics that will be discussed at the 8th Annual American Association for Cancer Research's Public Forum to be held on Saturday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

This half-day Forum entitled "Progress in the Nation's War on Cancer" is free and open to the public. Researchers from the nation's leading cancer centers will be available to discuss the latest advances and to answer audience questions about the disease and efforts to extend and save lives.

"We are very honored to be able to bring leading cancer research scientists and the public together for this Forum," said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D., chief executive officer of the American Association for Cancer Research. "And, we are pleased to be able to provide the public with the opportunity to meet with these speakers in person to learn about the exciting progress being made in cancer research."

Some of the speakers and topics include:

Cancer Research: The Key to the Cancer Problem -- Anna D. Barker, Ph.D., deputy director for advanced technologies and strategic partnerships, National Cancer Institute

Knowledge is Power! How Understanding the Biology of Cancer Can Help You -- Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., director, National Cancer Institute

The Impact of Cancer Research on Cancer Care -- Charles L. Sawyers, M.D., professor of hematology/oncology, University of California, Los Angeles and investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Cancer Prevention: What We Know and What We Do -- John D. Potter, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president and director, division of public health sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

The Forum will also feature an "Ask the Experts" session that will offer audience interaction with leading physicians from national centers and local Florida facilities, including:

Breast Cancer: Joyce M. Slingerland, M.D., Ph.D., director/professor, Slingerland Laboratory, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Danny R. Welch, Ph.D., associate professor, department of pathology, University of Alabama

Minorities and Cancer: Dorothy F. Parker, M.S., project director, Florida Comprehensive Cancer Control Initiative, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cancer Prevention: W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., director, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Colon Cancer: Ernest Hawk, M.D., M.P.H., chief, gastrointestinal and other cancers research group, National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention

Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Cancers: James L. Abbruzzese, M.D., professor/chairman, GI medical oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Leukemia/Lymphoma: Daniel M. Sullivan, M.D., professor and program leader, experimental therapeutics program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa

Skin Cancer: Clarence H. Brown, III, M.D., president and CEO, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Orlando and Christopher P. Crotty, M.D., Orlando Regional Healthcare

Prostate Cancer: James L. Welch, M.D., F.A.C.S., Orlando Urology Associates

Ovarian Cancer: Elise C. Kohn, M.D., head of the molecular signaling section, laboratory of pathology, National Cancer Institute

About the AACR:

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of innovative cancer research in the United States and in more than 60 other countries. The AACR accelerates progress toward the prevention and cure of cancer by promoting research, education, communication and advocacy. By accelerating the growth and spread of new knowledge about cancer, AACR is on the front lines of the quest for prevention and a cure.

If you would like to schedule an interview with Dr. Foti or would like more information on Forum topics and speakers, please contact Rosalind D'Eugenio at 203-323-1086 or at rdeugenio@environics-usa.com. For further Forum details, visit http://www.cancerpublicforum.org.