CAU’s Center For Cancer Research And Therapeutic Development Issues “Right To Know” Statement
ATLANTA (March 17, 2010) — The Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD) at Clark Atlanta University (CAU) concluded its Sixth Annual National Symposium on Prostate Cancer with a statement from the CCRTD’s community partners. The statement affirms the African-American community’s “Right to Know” relative to those issues of medical and scientific importance. It follows:
African-American men have a disproportionate rate of incidence of prostate cancer versus other racial and/or ethnic groups and a mortality rate more than twice as great as that of any other group. Yet, there remains an insufficiency of information when it comes to understanding the benefits of research, preventive therapies and diagnostic procedures. “We Affirm the Right of the Community to Know the Facts.”
While much controversy still surrounds the issue of PSA testing, scientific fact affirms that there is no other biomarker available with appropriate specificity for initial prostate cancer screening or disease progression measurement. “We Affirm a Man’s Right to Know the Issues and to Make an Informed Decision.”
Great strides in research have been made that show emerging protocols for prostate cancer prevention, such as finasteride and dutasteride that can actually prevent onset of prostate cancer, and research presented at this symposium that certain neutraceuticals, such as pomegranate compounds that can slow the metastatic progression of the disease. “We Affirm the Right of Patients and Consumers to Know that these Therapeutic Protocols Exist.”
Research presented at this Symposium has further shown that ultimately prostate cancer can be, if not cured, managed as any other chronic disease, but more extensive research focus is needed, both in funds for appropriate research proposals and in support for more investigators addressing the problem of racial health disparity. “We Affirm the Right for Increased Research Funding to End these Disparities.”
The following organizations and individuals comprise the membership of the CCRTD’s Minority Research Advisory Board:
- Dr. James Bennett – Midtown Urological Foundation
- Dr. Rudy Lombard – Second Opinion Society
- Mr. Daniel Mitchell – Second Opinion Society
- Dr. William Bright – Us Too/Virginia Prostate Cancer Coalition
- Col. James Williams, USA (Ret.) – Intercultural Cancer Council, Alliance for Prostate Cancer Prevention, and the Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Coalition
- Mr. Virgil Simons – The Prostate Net
In conjunction with the community partners, CCRTD will undertake to expand its mission of prostate cancer research to address those areas of concern noted by the group and will in the next week launch a Web-based informational and networking platform to enhance service to the African-American community.
Located on the campus of Clark Atlanta University, The Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD) comprises a team of 50 research scientists and student research associates devoted to significantly increasing the body of knowledge on cancer research, particularly as these diseases disproportionately impact the population mainly served by Clark Atlanta University, African Americans. The Center seeks to do this through research, advocacy, community education and outreach in the battle against cancer, prostate cancer in particular. CCRTD was developed in 1999 and is currently supported by the Research Center in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program of the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health, and is a key member of the Georgia Research Alliance. In 2007, CCRTD received funding as a “Center of Excellence in Prostate Cancer Research, Education and Community Services” from NCMHD. For more information on the Cancer Center, visit www.ccrtd.cau.edu or call 404-880-6878.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
When: Saturday, May 15, 2010