A Look Back... A Look Ahead 2012-2013
Dear Friends, Thank you for being part of our fellowship of men and their families as advocates for the battle against prostate cancer.
2012 was a breakout year for the International Prostate Cancer Foundation as we received our initial funding and began our men’s advocacy campaign in the fight against prostate cancer. We thank you for your support last year as our impact has been felt globally.
While 2012 yielded some big wins there also arrived some larger battles. Men globally were shocked by the US Preventative Task Force ill-advised recommendations to primary care physicians against PSA screening in all men.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading killer in men and 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
- Over the last 20 years we have seen a 40% decline in mortality largely attributed to early diagnosis from PSA testing.
We believe that taking away screening will lead to increased mortality as tumors will be increasingly diagnosed in more advanced stages. The American Cancer Society, the American Urological Association, the International Prostate Cancer Foundation and a host of patient advocacy groups have solidly banded together to refute the recommendations of the task force and have asked for the issue to be re-examined by more qualified experts in the field of cancer by and having them on the panel. It makes little sense to do away with a screening method that has been effective in reducing cancer mortality rates of the second-leading cancer in men. This is especially the case when there is no other screening method in place to replace it. Taking away a man’s right to know he has cancer is a grave injustice to all men. The IPCF is very active in both patient education and in legislative activities to attempt to overturn this recommendation. We have began an online petition which has gathered over 5000 signatures and we have begun to lobby the legislature We are continuing this fight to give men back their rights.
Join the fight, save lives!
Sincerely,
Vipul Patel, MD FACS
Founder, International Prostate Cancer Foundation
Medical Director, Global Robotics Institute
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPCF PROSTATE ADVOCACY HEROES
I would like to thank our executive board for their generosity and dedication to our cause. Our board is without a doubt the finest of any prostate cancer organization, from around the globe and with extremely distinguished backgrounds. You can meet them all by clicking here. In this newsletter we would like to pay tribute to our IPCF heroes who are making a difference.
LEGISLATIVE IPCF HERO: SENATOR NIKKI SETZLER
*Passed Legislation in South Carolina to restore PSA Screening in Men
SENATOR NIKKI SETZLER,
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER OF THE IPCF AND SENATOR FOR S. CAROLINA
Senator Setzler has been a leader in the South Carolina legislature for District 26. He is a prostate cancer survivor and advocate. His address at the senate floor regarding his own diagnosis can be seen here. He has helped us take the fight against the US preventative task forces recommendations to the South Carolina legislature where it has passed the senate. We hope to continue this in other states. We salute Senator Setzler for his dedication to our prostate cancer survivors and for being the pioneering force in the legislature.
SCIENTIFIC IPCF HERO: DR RAJAN PERERA
*Began a Genetic Screening Initiative for Prostate Cancer
DR. RAJAN PERERA
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER OF THE IPCF AND LEAD RESEARCHER IN PROSTATE CANCER GENETICS AT THE SANFORD BURNHAM MRI
In 2013, the International Prostate Cancer Foundation has partnered with the Sanford & Burnham Medical Research Institute and their expertise in genetic sequencing to introduce new research avenues for the detection of genetic markers for prostate cancer. Our executive board member Dr. Ranjan Perera of the Burnham institute has taken up the challenge of prostate cancer genomics.
PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR ADVOCATE IPCF HERO
MR. OSCAR ROBERTSON
*Global Patient Advocate in Educating Men about Prostate Cancer
MR. OSCAR ROBERTSON
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AND NBA All-Star LEGEND
Thanks to the involvement of Oscar Robinson the foundation message and goals were covered by media giants including ESPN, YahooSports!, FOX, The Associated Press and many more thus raising awareness for the cause. Read about it on our blog here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPCF MISSION: EDUCATION FOR PATIENTS AND PHYSICIANS
This last year has seen many accomplishments, as we have reached significant milestones allowing the International Prostate Cancer Foundation to make a recognized impact with respect to our mission in the fight against prostate cancer.
In late 2011, the start of programs working to help support and educate urologists nationally and internationally acted as a gateway to greater undertakings in 2012. The highlight of this year’s achievements was the much anticipated Foundation Launch & Celebration of Life Gala Event.
The morning of the Gala, the Foundation hosted an Education Symposium. Patients and supporters alike attended to learn more about Prostate Cancer Facts, Advances in Screening and Genetic Research, and Life after a Prostatectomy - just to name a few.
With such talented and educated advocates in attendance, this was a must-attend event for local men. To see videos of the educational presentations, please click here. To see photos of the education event, please click here.
The official Foundation Launch Gala Event drew men’s advocates from around the globe with over 20 countries represented at our inaugural event to launch our fight against prostate cancer and against those agencies attempting to eliminate screening programs. Many of our esteemed Board Members and Cancer Survivors spoke on behalf of the foundation, and about why it is so important to join the fight, create awareness, support research, educate about prostate cancer and stress the importance of PSA screening. To see a full gallery of the Celebration of Life
Gala, please click here. The IPCF also promoted patient and physician education by sponsoring local and global events. In April, we were proud to be a sponsor for the 16th Annual Black Men’s Health Summit held in Orlando, FL by monetary donation to provide free health screenings for more than 3,000 men. You can read more about it here. Such endeavors have worked to establish the International Prostate Cancer Foundation as a prominent contributor in prostate cancer education and awareness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPCF MISSION: GLOBAL SCREENING
Continuing to raise awareness, the International Prostate Cancer Foundation, in partnership with Change.org, released its first petition urging professionals and community members to stand up against negative PSA ratings. A decision set forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force with the potential to have severe damaging effects on the future of prostate cancer detection and treatment. To date, the petition has reached over 5,000 signatures and continues to be a focus for growth. To sign or forward the petition to your friends, please click here.Furthermore, 2012 was the initiation of several donation campaigns and sponsorships. Through social media outlets such as Facebook, supplemental funding was made possible by way of a month-long Mimic Technologies Partnership and our Text-2-Give campaign (here). We persistently encourage those who wish to make a difference to text “FIGHT” to “27722” as a donation of $5 will be made directly to the International Prostate Cancer Foundation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPCF MISSION: PROMOTION OF CLINICAL AND BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH IN GENETIC TESTING
In partnership with the Sanford-Burnham Institute, we have hired researchers who will attempt to decode the genetics of prostate cancer. The funding for the post-doctoral fellowship was provided via the IPCF from the generosity of our donors and advocates. Additionally we have undertaken a prospective study examining the tissue of high risk prostate cancer patients for genetic signatures that will potential predict the cancers lethal nature. Our goal is to develop genetic analysis methods that will help future generations avoid contracting the disease or helping cure it early in its course.Without your support and generosity none of this would have been possible, we have made a global impact in a short time and our platform has positioned us to make a truly meaningful difference in the lives of men already diagnosed and in their progeny for the future generations. Now is our critical time to action. WE are facing healthcare reform and special interest groups who wish to eliminate screening and therefore increase levels of mortality from prostate cancer. WE will need your help to take this fight to the next level and to accomplish our core objectives. I urge you to support us. Please take the time to donate whatever you can and join us in giving prostate cancer the finger! For more information on how you can help us you may contact us directly here.