Dec 7, 2001

In This Issue:
Survivor To Head NCI, Survivors Wanted for NCI Committee, Presidential Cancer Panel Reports Broken System, Saudis Sue Tobacco Companies, Brain Metastases, Selenium for Prostate, and more

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THE LATEST NEWS

Cancer Survivor and Researcher Named New NCI Director, By Rachael Myers Lowe, cancerpage

Supplemental Selenium May Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk

Clues To Cancer Wasting Disease Point To Possible Treatments

Leading Saudi Hospital Sues US Tobacco Companies

cancerpage updates the news throughout the day, Monday through Friday, and adds late-breaking stories on holidays and weekends.

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NCI SEEKS CONSUMER ADVOCATES FOR FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Federal government's primary agency for funding cancer research, is seeking nominations for five new members of the Director's Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG) who will be appointed in July 2002. The DCLG consists of 15 consumer advocates who are involved in cancer advocacy and who reflect the diversity among those whose lives are affected by cancer. The federally chartered advisory committee makes recommendations to the Director of NCI from the consumer advocate perspective on a variety of issues and research priorities.

To be eligible for the DCLG, a nominee must be involved in the cancer experience: a cancer survivor, a person affected by the suffering and consequences of cancer, or a professional/volunteer who works with survivors or those affected. Nominees must represent a constituency. Nominees who meet the eligibility requirements will be further assessed based on other criteria. To receive the nomination package for the DCLG, complete a request form and return it electronically or by mail to the address on the request form. Nominations must be postmarked by February 1, 2002. For more info, go to

http://www.cancer.gov/partners/2000_nominations.html

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BRAIN METASTASES TELECONFERENCE

Fighting cancer often does not end with the treatment of the primary tumor. In recent years, an alarming number of cancer patients and survivors developed tumors in the brain, or brain metastases, according to the National Brain Tumor Foundation. Neuro-oncologist Dr. Mark Gilbert of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, reports "The incidence of brain metastases is increasing as the treatment of the primary cancers improves. Nearly 150,000 patients are diagnosed each year in the United States with brain metastases, nearly ten times the incidence of primary brain tumors." A teleconference, scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2001, at 10:00am Pacific Time, will focus on treatments for brain metastases. Contact NBTF at (800)934.2873 for more info. To register for the teleconference, e-mail your name, address, zip code and telephone number (including area code) to meetings@us.occgroup.com, or fax the information to (215)-497-4303. Also see the National Brain Tumor Foundation website: http://www.braintumor.org/home/home.asp

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PRESIDENT'S CANCER PANEL RELEASES "VOICES OF A BROKEN SYSTEM"

A federal cancer advisory committee sent President Bush a new report on the status of cancer in the US on the anniversary of President's Nixon's declaration of War on Cancer and the National Cancer Act of 1971. The message to President Bush states in part: "Mr. President, profound advances are being made in cancer research, but our health care delivery system is broken. ... The overwhelming majority of people have worked and contributed to the Nation throughout their adulthood. Many pay sizeable health insurance premiums every month, believing they are protecting themselves and their families, but may find themselves faced with unreimbursed cancer care costs that quickly drain their life savings. Many work hard every day, but cannot afford even basic health insurance. Some are unable to work, but are no less deserving of proper care when faced with a life-threatening illness." To read the news story about the report, go to:

President’s Cancer Panel Urges Major Overhaul in US Cancer Care System

To see the Executive Summary and the full report, go to
http://deaintranet2.nci.nih.gov/PCP-Report/voices_files/index.html