Pfizer unites cancer care leaders to introduce novel tool to improve cancer outcomes

Dr. Harold P. Freeman leads discussion on quality cancer care in America

WHAT: Pfizer Inc, Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), and Dr. Harold P. Freeman will announce the launch of Patient Navigation in Cancer Care: Guiding Patients to Quality Outcomes, a tool kit designed to help hospitals and health systems implement one-on-one navigation programs for cancer patients on Wednesday, September 28, 2005. The event¡¦s keynote speakers will provide an update on issues facing cancer care delivery, especially for the poor and medically underserved, discuss the significance of patient navigator programs, and introduce the new multimedia tool kit.

WHO: Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Harold Freeman, President and Founder of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention and former President of the American Cancer Society

Daniel Sisto, President, Healthcare Association of New York State

Patrick Kelly, President, U.S. Pharmaceuticals and Vice President of Pfizer Inc

WHY: President George W. Bush recently signed into law the Patient Navigator, Outreach, and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2005, in which Dr. Freeman's work played a pivotal role:

The new legislation recognizes that many cancer patients are not benefiting from the latest advancements in screening and treatment.

While cancer survival has increased significantly overall, the survival rate of poor individuals is 10 to 15 percent lower than that of other Americans.
African American men and women have significantly higher death rates from all cancers combined than white men and women.

Patient navigation has been shown to improve outcomes:

A study conducted by Dr. Freeman at New York's Harlem Hospital suggests that patient navigation is a significant factor in increasing patient survival rates.

Recognizing the complexities of today's healthcare system, Pfizer, HANYS and Dr. Freeman have joined forces to introduce a tool kit designed to launch patient navigation programs at hospitals and health systems throughout the U.S.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 28, 2005; 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, 1919 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10035

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CONTACT: Reporters interested in attending the press conference should contact Jennifer Mallory at 312-552-1163 or Jennifer.Mallory@edelman.com.

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