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TOMS RIVER, NJ, February 19, 2008 – Karen Purcell of Toms River attended the 2008 Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Forum:
Advancing Prevention and Access to Treatment as a representative of Community Medical Center and the Ocean County Breast Health Education and Early Detection Program. This year’s Forum took place on February 4-6 in Houston, TX and focused on advancing prevention and access to treatment. Mrs. Purcell was one of more than 275 specialists in breast cancer care programs representing 12 major cancer centers, 80 public hospitals and 140 community-based organizations, from all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
The Forum attendees represented a diverse group who in 2008 will: undertake critical research; perform more than 1,000,000 educational encounters at health fairs and one-on-one counseling sessions; link more than 150,000 women into mammography screenings; and navigate those with abnormal screens into follow-up diagnostics and treatment
Karen Purcell is the Program Coordinator of the Cancer Education and Early Detection Program located in Ocean County. The mission of the program is to provide education on the importance of early detection of cancer and provide access to free screenings to those who qualify for specific program. The Avon Foundation has provided funding to the Community Medical Center Foundation since 2003 providing funding for many educational programs and materials throughout Ocean County
“I am so proud to have been selected to attend this conference,” stated Purcell. “During those three days I was able to learn from the experts and my peers from other community breast cancer organizations so that we can do an even better job of serving our community. In particular, learning how to reduce the risk of lymphedema in breast cancer patients was especially helpful. Within the next few months, it is our hope to begin a medically supervised, specialized program for breast cancer survivors to participate in on a weekly basis."
The 2008 Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Forum Agenda
At this year’s Forum, delegates shared best practices and disseminated the most recent information on breast cancer clinical trials that organizations can immediately apply and use to improve their patients’ lives. The attendees examined programs that provide access to breast cancer prevention, screening, and treatment to medically underserved and minority populations, and were able to hear directly from eminent speakers on important topics such as:
- Dr. Wendie Berg, Study Chair, American College of Radiology Imaging Network ACRIN-6666 Trial who presented new results from ACRIN-6666 and discusses the use of ultrasound in addition to mammography for breast cancer screening
- Dr. Steve Whitman, Director, Sinai Urban Health Institute (Chicago) who released new data from a commissioned study on Houston black/white disparities in breast cancer mortality
- Dr. Polly Newcomb, Program Head, Cancer Prevention, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Seattle) who presented results of a new study examining how pregnancy alters future risk of breast cancer
- Dr. Susan Love, President and Medical Director, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (Pacific Palisades, CA) who discussed ongoing research developing new ways to detect breast cancer risk with the ultimate goal of preventing the disease altogether
The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Forum thanks Gold Sponsors: GlaxoSmithKline Oncology and Novartis Oncology, and Silver Sponsor Genomic Health for their generous support. Funding for the Forum and Avon Foundation grants is also provided by the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, including nine events taking place April-October 2008.
About the Avon Foundation
The Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families. Since 1992, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and awarded more than $525 million worldwide for access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding supports five areas: awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs. For more information, visit www.avonfoundation.org.
About Community Medical Center
Community Medical Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, is a 587-bed, fully accredited acute care hospital offering area residents world-class medical treatment with the comforts of hometown care. Opened in 1961, CMC has evolved into the state’s largest non-teaching hospital and Ocean County’s largest and most active healthcare facility. Community is a progressive healthcare organization offering a comprehensive array of wellness and medical services including world-class cancer, diabetes, emergency, and cardiac care. The hospital is a trusted provider of maternal and child health services, offering superior obstetric services, a Level 2 special care nursery, and a dedicated pediatric unit. Community Medical Center is the recipient of the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence, the 2005, 2006 and 2007 HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety, a Magnet designated hospital for nursing Excellence. [ top ] |
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