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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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FPCN CHAIRMAN
ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF
THE 2004 PROSTATE CANCER EDUCATION BILL |
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TAMPA, FL April
7, 2004 – Florida Prostate Cancer Network (FPCN) Chairman Bob Samuels is
pleased to announce that SB 2002 (ch.2004-2, Laws of
Florida), was signed into law by Governor Bush on March 12, 2004. This
bill creates a Prostate Cancer Awareness Program within
the Department of Health. The bill also mandates that a prostate cancer
advisory group be established to work with the Department of Health. |
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An estimated 230,100 men in
the United States in 2004 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in
2004; 17,000 of those will be residents of Florida. In the
United States, 29,900 men are projected die from prostate cancer in
2004, with 2,220 of those men being Florida residents. Florida is
ranked second in the nation for new cases of prostate cancer, and it
is the number one diagnosed non-skin cancer in our state. The
Prostate Cancer Awareness Program is intended to
reduce these statistics by implementing the 2000
Prostate Cancer Task Force recommendations
regarding outreach and education. |
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Bob Samuels, FPCN Chairman and CEO, Florida Governor Jeb Bush,
Yussif Dokurugu
FAMU Student, after passage |
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The report Increasing Awareness about Prostate Cancer:
Recommendations of the Florida Prostate Cancer Task Force (Chapter
98-305, Florida Statues) was submitted to Governor Bush, the
Florida Legislature, and the Secretary of The Department of Health
in January 2000. Co-Chairing the Committee was Dr. Mark S. Soloway,
Chief of Urology at the University of Miami School of Medicine and
Bob Samuels, Chairman and CEO of the FPCN. Specific recommendations
included $1 million per year being appropriated for a
community-based statewide educational campaign to be coordinated by
the Department of Health. |
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Samuels, a 10-year survivor of prostate cancer says, “It has been
a long struggle, but I am happy that Florida has finally made a real
commitment to try to reduce prostate cancer deaths in the state”.
Samuels says he is looking forward to working with the Department of
Health to implement the bill. |
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FPCN is a model
state coalition recognized by a number of agencies
including the Florida Legislature, the Florida
Department of Health and the Florida Agency for
Healthcare Administration. Its programs include a
speakers’ bureau; counseling referral program and peer
counselor network; educational forums and health fairs;
support groups; a newsletter and website; and active
volunteer efforts. |
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For More Information Contact:
Bob Samuels, Chairman and CEO,
Florida Prostate Cancer Network
6105 Memorial Highway, Tampa FL 33615-4557
Tel:
813-806-2800
FAX:
813-806-4062 |
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