ADVISORY/Communication and Awareness Theme of Fourth Annual Cancer Summit.

Health and Medical Writers

ADVISORY...for Oct. 4-6 (Wednesday-Friday)

PHILADELPHIA--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 3, 2000

The fourth annual Summit on Clinical Trials will be held October 4, 5, and 6, 2000 at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, in Arlington, Virginia.

Organized by the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, Inc., the Cancer Leadership Council, the Cancer Research Foundation of America, and the Oncology Nursing Society, the theme of this year's summit is "Improving Communication and Public Awareness."

Summit IV is an opportunity for representatives of all groups involved in cancer care, research, and management to come together with communications experts to present and share perspectives and concerns.

The three-day program features presentations and discussion focusing on:

-- Attitudes Toward Clinical Trials (identified through recent surveys including a Harris Interactive Poll);

-- Communication Barriers to Clinical Trial Participation by patients and physicians;

-- Communication Models of Success and Key Messages.

The presentations will be followed by breakout sessions and brainstorming that will become the basis for a communications plan for national implementation. Guest presenters(a) include many well-known leaders in the areas of oncology, patient advocacy, business, and communications.

"The Summit Series has been a driving force of the activities of the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups," said Robert L. Comis, MD, President. "As a result of the Summit Series, the discussion surrounding the recognition and use of clinical trials as part of a high-quality cancer management program has become an issue among physicians, insurance companies, and legislators. Through the Harris Poll we are beginning to understand patients', physicians', and the general public's attitudes toward clinical trials. One of our priorities is to include patient representatives in all facets of discussion concerning the clinical trials process."

The Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups is an organization dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life of cancer patients by increasing participation in clinical trials. The Coalition works to improve access to clinical trials; to develop and manage new trials; to improve health and economic outcomes; and to be involved internationally in the field of cancer research. Members of the Coalition include cooperative groups, patient advocate organizations, and cancer research and treatment centers.

(a)Guest presenters include: Lucille Adams-Campbell, Director, Howard University Cancer Center; Charles M. Balch, MD, Executive Vice President and CEO, American Society of Clinical Oncology; Diana Rowden, Immediate Past Chairman of the Board, Susan G. Komen Foundation; Ellen Coleman, Associate Executive Director, Cancer Care, Inc.; Deborah E. Collyar, President, Patient Advocates in Research; Robert L. Comis, MD, President and Chairman, Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, Inc.; Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, Department of Clinical Bioethics, NIH; Dean H. Gesme, Jr., MD, Oncology Associates of Cedar Rapids; Bernard Glassman, Special Expert Informatics, NCI; Maria Carolina Hinestrosa, Program Director, Nueva Vida; Elmer E. Huerta, MD, MPH, Director, Cancer Risk Assessment and Screening Center, Washington Cancer Institute; Michael S. Katz, Vice President, International Myeloma Foundation; Allan Korn, MD, Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association; Kristin Ludwig, Director of Communications, American Society of Clinical Oncology; Johnathan Miller, PhD, Northwestern School of Medicine; Robert Mittman, Director, Institute for the Future; Kathy Mooney, RN, PhD, Professor, University of Utah School of Nursing; Sharon Murphy, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Medical School; Bill Novelli, Porter-Novelli, AARP Campaign; Larry Norton, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Mike O'Connell, MD, Professor of Oncology, Mayo Clinic; Carolyn Runowicz, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Richard L. Schilsky, MD, Associate Dean, University of Chicago; Selma Schimmel, Vital Options; Ellen Stovall, President and CEO, National Coalition for Cancer Survivors; Sharyn Sutton, CEO, Sutton Social Marketing; James L. Wade, III, MD, Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois; Lisa M. Wyatt, Vice President, Advertising and Marketing, MedStar Health; David Zucker, Senior Vice President, Porter Novelli.