The Yale Cancer Center has been selected to host the President's National Cancer Panel for a day-long symposium on Tuesday, June 2. The event, which is free and open to the public, will explore issues related to quality of life and survivorship. It will be held 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in Rm. 110 of the Jane Ellen Hope Building, 315 Cedar St.
There are approximately eight million cancer survivors (defined as anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer and is alive today) in the United States. That number is growing as a result of advances in the detection, treatment and prevention of cancer.
The symposium, which is taking place just five days before National Cancer Survivor's Day on June 7, will explore such concerns for survivors as family and sexuality, questions of employment and insurance coverage, second cancers, the availability of support groups and other patient resources, and end-of-life issues.
The President's National Cancer Panel consists of three members: Dr. Harold Freeman, director of surgery at Harlem Hospital Center; Frances Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition; and Dr. Paul Calabresi, professor and chair emeritus of the department of medicine at Brown University.
The panel was established under the authority of the National Cancer Act, which was enacted in 1971 as part of the national "war on cancer." The panel is charged with monitoring the development and execution of the activities of the National Cancer Program and reports annually to the President on its efficacy. Each year, the panel holds four public meetings, which are designed to review the strategic plans, goals and achievement of the National Cancer Program and to identify any barriers to its rapid execution. In its reports during the years 1992-97, the panel has consistently advocated for access to quality cancer care for all Americans, for continued and expanded funding of basic research and for the rapid translation of basic research discoveries to maintain and improve prevention, detection, treatment and supportive services.
The Yale Cancer Center is one of 32 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute, and is the only one in Southern New England. Bringing together the resources of Yale-New Haven Hospital and the School of Medicine, its mission encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community outreach and education. With funding from the National Cancer Institute, the center also offers a Cancer Information Service, which provides up-to-date information on cancer prevention, detection and treatment. Trained cancer information specialists are available to answer questions Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
For more information on the President's National Cancer Panel meeting, or to reserve a complimentary lunch, call Mary McCarthy at 785-5257.
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