Testimony emphasizes that health reform bills eliminate prostate cancer screening

Men's Health NetworkMar 4 2010

The following is being released by Men's Health Network:

WHAT: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Congressman Edolphus Towns, will hold a hearing entitled: "Prostate Cancer: New Questions About Screening and Treatment."

This is the first Congressional prostate cancer hearing in 11 years and, in the midst of debate on a health reform bill that will eliminate prostate cancer screenings currently available to millions of men in 37 states, this hearing is desperately needed.

"We are pleased that this hearing is finally taking place, it will be a critical piece in making sure men aren't left behind in health reform legislation," shared Scott Williams, VP of Men's Health Network.

Betty Gallo, wife of Congressman Dean Gallo, lost her husband to prostate cancer in 1994. She has recently co-founded Women Against Prostate Cancer (www.womenagainstprostatecancer.org) and will testify at the hearing. She will represent the millions of wives, partners, sisters, mothers and daughters impacted by this disease each year.

In addition to Betty's testimony, Men's Health Network has submitted written testimony emphasizing the need for prostate cancer screenings to be included in health reform, the need for an Office of Men's Health, encouraging more research, and many other topics.

Men's Health Network will be tweeting live throughout the hearing, follow us at www.twitter.com/menshlthnetwork .

You can also watch live webcast of the hearing at:>

WHO: Andrew Young, former UN Ambassador; Otis Brawley, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for American Cancer Society; James Mohler, M.D., Chair, Department of Urologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Betty Gallo; Thomas Farrington of PHEN; and others will provide testimony

WHEN:  Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2154

WHY: The purpose of the hearing is to examine the following basic questions: What is the current view of prostate cancer screening? What are the research needs and what's on the horizon for innovations? Are we doing everything necessary to solve this problem? What can we learn from prostate cancer survivors and victims?

In 2010 alone, nearly 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 28,000 men will die from this disease. The disease has a significant impact on a countless number of men, women and families.