News Release

World Summit Against Cancer in the New Millennium

Meeting Announcement

Porter Novelli

MEDIA ALERT: Global Community Declares Renewed Commitment to Cancer Research,Prevention and Advocacy

Cancer affects more than 10 million people globally and 6 million die of the disease annually. To address this growing public health problem in the next century, an international group of government officials, leading researchers and patient advocates will join together on Feb. 3 and 4, 2000 in an historic event marking a renewed commitment to the global prevention and treatment of cancer - the signing of The Charter of Paris against Cancer during the World Summit Against Cancer in the New Millennium at the Elysée Palace.

Signatories include Jacques Chirac, president of the Republic of France; Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel; and Richard Klausner, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Confirmed Speakers include:

D. Khayat, M.D., Groupe Hospitalier Pitié, Paris

J. Mendelsohn, M.D., University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center

P. Harper, M.D., Guy's Hospital, London

R. Klausner, M.D., National Cancer Institute

F. Visco, President, National Breast Cancer Coalition

Additional speakers and complete agenda to be announced.

Date:
Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4, 2000

Time:
Sessions begin at 9 am (3 am EST), Thursday, Feb. 3

Location:
World Summit Against Cancer in the New Millennium
City Hall, Paris

Interview Opportunities:
World class scientists, physicians, patient advocates and politicians will be available for on-site interviews. Telephone interviews may also be arranged.

Photo Opportunities:
-VIP patrons will be signing The Charter of Paris against Cancer at the Elysée Palace.
-An ecumenical service will be held at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in honor of those affected by cancer.

For more information, please contact
Laurie Miller at 212 601-8359
lmiller@porternovelli.com

Marion E. Glick at 212 601-8273
marion_glick@porternovelli.com

Amy Losak at 212 601-8233
alosak@porternovelli.com

Background Information:
On 3 - 4 February 2000 at the Elysée Palace in Paris, France, an historic event will take place to signify the global commitment to the worldwide prevention and treatment of cancer in the next century - THE SIGNING OF THE CHARTER OF PARIS AGAINST CANCER. Among the first to sign the Charter is the President of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac.

We must continue to intensify our research efforts in two directions: towards the development of effective new treatments, naturally, but also towards a more sympathetic approach to the management of cancer patients. By the year 2001, we hope to rally one million people around the world to sign the Charter of Paris; thereby showing their willingness to mobilize on behalf of those affected by cancer. -- Prof. Gabriel Hortobagyi and Prof. David Khayat

The Charter of Paris against Cancer is a declaration that aspires to raise international concern about cancer and was created by an eminent group of oncologists headed by Professor Gabriel Hortobagyi of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, Texas and Professor David Khayat of the Medical Oncology Department of the Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital (SOMPS) in Paris, France.

The Charter of Paris Articles

The 10 articles focus on the following aspects:

Article I:
Cancer patients' rights are human rights

Article II:
The stigma associated with cancer is a significant barrier to patients'well-being and inhibits the creation of additional patient support channels

Article III:
Creating optimal environments for anti-cancer research innovation must be a commitment

Article IV:
Quality care for patients is a basic human right

Article V:
The need for urgent deployment of existing knowledge and technologies is crucial to stem the global burden of cancer

Article VI:
Prevention, screening and early detection are key to fighting cancer

Article VII:
The educated patient has a role in his/her treatment

Article VIII:
Improving cancer patients' quality of life is a primary objective

Article IX:
Designing anti-cancer strategies to meet variable needs

Article X:
A global cooperative approach to research, advocacy, prevention and treatment will ensure the longevity of the Charter's principles

By signing this Charter, an international group of government officials, leading researchers, patient advocates, communicators and other key figures in the cancer field will universally pledge their allegiance and solidarity with millions of patients suffering from cancer. They will defend the legitimate and inalienable rights of these patients to scientifically approved and humane care of the highest quality, to clear and complete information and to freedom of choice and active participation in researching and evaluating new therapies. They will also commit to support research efforts focused on the eradication of cancer through intensified innovation in cancer prevention, screening and early detection.

###


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.