Vol. 5, No. 005 |
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Hundreds Make a 'Dash for Dad'
In This Issue:
LEAD
WHAT'S NEW AT ZERO
RESEARCH AND TREATMENT UPDATE
- Hormones Not Always the Answer
- PSA Doubling Time and Radiation Therapy Studied
- Brachytherapy Shows Promise for Early Prostate Cancer
- Link Found Between Shared Genes and Prostate Cancer Growth
ACTION UPDATE
- Battle of the Sexes: Prostate Cancer Research Funding Gets the Shaft
- 2008 Summit to End Prostate Cancer a Huge Success
- Man Up! Support Important Prostate Cancer Bill
THE DRIVE AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER
Lead
Runners from all over the D.C. area participated in the inaugural Dash for Dad/Depend 10K. |
Hundreds Make a 'Dash for Dad'
One had prostate cancer surgery three months ago and was told by his doctor that running this race was "the best thing he could do for his health." Another was running to honor her nephew, who passed away from prostate cancer at the early age of 36 late last year. Dozens were running to honor the men in their lives touched by prostate cancer-fathers, brothers and spouses.
No matter how their prostate cancer stories ended, nearly 600 runners and walkers, and more than 100 volunteers came out to Alexandria, VA on Sept. 28 for ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer's first Dash for Dad/Depend 10K. Participants helped raise more than $90,000 and counting to support prostate cancer research and screenings in the Washington, D.C. area.
A special thank you goes out to all of our participants and sponsors who made this inaugural race such a success. ZERO plans to host three Dash for Dad races across the country next year. More information about these races will be available at DashforDad.org in January.
RACE RESULTS
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What's New at ZERO
Representatives from Depend and Rite-Aid present ZERO with a $25,000 check at the Dover International Speedway. Photo by: Phil Cavali |
ZERO's Partnership with Depend Far Reaching
Earlier this month, ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer partnered with Depend, a Kimberly-Clark global brand and Rite Aid Pharmacy to encourage NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Series race fans to pay attention to prostate health. This partnership included nationwide promotion of the prostate cancer cause through directed e-mails to NASCAR fans, jumbo-tron announcements at the race, public service announcements from number 27 Driver Jason Keller and outreach among the RV campers in the race FanZone. A total of 451 men were screened over the race weekend on the Drive Against Prostate Cancer. On Sept. 20, ZERO was presented with a check for $25,000 on behalf of Depend and Rite Aid Pharmacy.
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Research and Treatment Update
Hormones Not Always the Answer
A new study of 1,707 prostate cancer patients raises additional questions about the benefits of hormone drugs, which are given to more than half of prostate cancer patients. The study found that men over age 70 given hormones before their seed implants had a 20 percent higher risk of death than patients who were treated only with the implants. After five years, 19.1 percent of those who took hormones died, compared to 16.6 percent of those who didn't get hormones. The lead study author, Amy Dosoretz, concluded that there was no evidence to show that hormones help patients with slow-growing or 'low-risk' tumors.
RELATED STORIES
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PSA Doubling Time and Radiation Therapy Studied
A new study suggests men who undergo radiation therapy for early stage prostate cancer should begin hormone therapy immediately if their PSA level rises quickly and doubles within six months at any point after treatment. Additionally, the study suggests foregoing hormones if the PSA doesn't rise as quickly.
"These results further refine the role of PSA doubling time in predicting which patients may benefit from hormone therapy and which patients may be observed expectantly and spared the toxicity of the hormones," explains Eric Horwitz, M.D., acting chairman and clinical director of the radiation oncology department at Fox Chase Cancer Center, who led the study.
RELATED STORY
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Brachytherapy Shows Promise for Early Prostate Cancer
In patients with localized prostate cancer, high-dose brachytherapy seems a viable option for men in the early stages of prostate cancer, according to a single-center study. The study found high-dose brachytherapy comparable with external beam radiation therapy when it came to disease control with or without concomitant interstitial seed implants. With an average follow-up of 90 months, high-dose brachytherapy has led to a PSA disease-free survival of nearly 90 percent, according to the study.
"High-dose radiation alone has several advantages over low-dose radiation," said Rufus Mark, M.D., of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. "There is no radiation exposure to hospital personnel, no seed migration, greater dose flexibility, and more precise radiation dose delivery. Also, larger volumes can be treated with high-dose radiation."
RELATED STORY
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Link Found Between Shared Genes and Prostate Cancer Growth
Scientists at the Hopkins School of Medicine have found a link between cancer biology and developmental biology, showing that malignant cells which cause prostate cancer behave very similarly to normally developing prostate cells on a genetic level.
"We knew that cancers and developing organs looked similar under the microscope," said research team leader and associate professor of pathology, oncology and urology David Berman. "But we didn't know that they used highly related molecular programs."
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Action Update
Battle of the Sexes: Prostate Cancer Research Funding Gets the Shaft
Once again, prostate cancer has been left out in the cold when it comes to increases in disease research funding. The Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) at the Department of Defense (DOD) maintained funding of $80 million for the fourth year in a row for fiscal year 2009 as part of the federal funding package, passed by the House and Senate over the weekend. Meanwhile, Congress allocated an additional $11.5 million for breast cancer research ($150 million in total) and doubled research for ovarian cancer ($20 million in total). So what gives?
"We need to be more vocal when it comes to pushing for government funding increases for prostate cancer research," said John Meredith, an advocacy trainer who presented during ZERO's Summit to End Prostate Cancer last week. "Men get prostate cancer. If women got it, everyone would know about it. While we all wish to see breast and ovarian cancer research adequately funded, the time to insist on parity for men's health care issues is now - demand nothing less in any funding bill from today until prostate cancer has been eradicated."
The Defense Appropriations Bill was passed as part of a larger package to fund the federal government through March 6, 2009. The Defense bill approved by both the House and Senate includes more than $900 million for research and development in the Defense Health Program. Since fiscal year 2001, prostate cancer research funding at the DOD has fallen from $100 million to the current level of $80 million while breast cancer research has continued to see increases.
In addition to increases in breast and ovarian cancer research funding, Congress expanded the peer-reviewed program at the DOD to include several other research programs such as vision, orthopedic and spinal cord research, among others.
Advocates share a laugh during the Summit To End Prostate Cancer in Washington, D.C. |
2008 Summit to End Prostate Cancer a Huge Success
Last week, ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer held the 9th annual Summit to End Prostate Cancer in Washington, D.C. Nearly 100 advocates, more than double last year's attendance, came to the nation's Capital to discuss prostate cancer and what the federal government can and should do to further awareness, screening and treatment. The summit included speakers from the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the president of the AdMeTech Foundation, and many others.
The summit concluded with more than 90 meetings held between ZERO advocates and members of Congress. Many advocates were delighted to meet directly with their senators and representatives who made time to discuss prostate cancer issues even in the midst of the financial crisis debate. Two congressional members have signed on to prostate cancer resolutions as a direct result of their meetings with our advocates last week.
Man Up! Support Important Prostate Cancer Bill
ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer continues to pound the pavement on Capitol Hill to rally support for the Thomas J. Manton Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Act (HR 2131), which would authorize federal funding for matching grants to states for screening and follow up treatment for men who qualify.
ZERO is working hard to raise awareness about prostate cancer issues and encourage more Congressional members to co-sponsor the bill. Since the New Year, we have added several new co-sponsors, and continue to carry the message to Capitol Hill. Please review the list of sponsors and urge your congressmen and senators to support this legislation.
Contact your member of Congress today and ask them to support the Manton bill.
RELATED LINKS
Drive Against Prostate Cancer
On the Road with the Drive Against Prostate Cancer
Your support for the Drive Against Prostate Cancer can make a difference by helping us save more lives through early detection. We're off to a great start in 2008 by testing more than 14,000 men for prostate cancer, bringing us even closer to our goal of screening 20,000 men this year.
All donations are tax-deductible. Remember, a gift of $30 provides a free test to a man who would otherwise go without one.
Next Stops: Baltimore, MD and Pittsburgh, PA
Have you had your yearly prostate cancer screening? Click here to find out when The Drive will be coming to a city near you in 2008!
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