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Washington 1999/06/27 -Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) introduced legislation today in the U.S. Senate to reauthorize several federal prostate cancer research and prevention programs. The Prostate Cancer Research and Prevention Act, if passed, would provide additional research on the effectiveness of prostate screening strategies; more information on how to best improve health practitioner training and education; and more information about how men seek treatment, make treatment decisions and how they follow-up on those decisions.
"Prostate cancer represents one of the most significant medical and social challenges facing our country today. In 1999, approximately 179,300 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed, and 37,000 men will die this year because of the disease. While aggressive detection and treatment programs have begun to show promise of reducing the mortality rate for this disease, we still have a long way to go," said Charles J. McDonald, MD, American Cancer Society National Board President.
The American Cancer Society announced its support of the reauthorization effort and endorsed Sen. Frist's bill. The legislation would allow the federal programs to continue for an additional five years.
"Until there is more science, men should discuss both screening and treatment options with their physicians before making a decision to do either. Each case and its outcomes will be different," McDonald added. "This bill will help us get vitally important scientific information to ensure men have the best prevention, screening and treatment guidelines."
Unice B. Lieberman
American Cancer Society
202-661-5710
Unice.Lieberman@cancer.org
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