Going to the Barbershop to Fight Cancer

MGM / BARBERSHOP 2 SUPPORT PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS WITH HISTORIC CAMPAIGN TO REACH AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINO MALES
www.ProstateNet.org; 1.888.4ProsNet

New York, NY, January 26, 2004 - Hollywood has joined forces with The Prostate Net to help prevent the second leading cause of cancer death in African American and Latino men via an innovative barbershop community outreach campaign.

Themed "Going to the Barbershop to Fight Cancer," the health awareness campaign urges men to get checked for prostate cancer and coincides with MGM's February release of the movie BarberShop 2 Back in Business, featuring Cedric the Entertainer, Ice Cube, Eve and Queen Latifah. February is also Cancer Prevention Month and Black History Month.

In addition to MGM, the program is supported by Aventis Oncology, American Airlines, Black Entertainment Television/BET, Foundation for Medical Evaluation and Education, Cancer Informational Service of the National Cancer Institute, Capital Technology Information Services, Inc., National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, SurferNetwork Internet Radio and Celgene Corporation.

Over the next few weeks, ethnic barbers in major US cities will participate in community health education sessions at local hospitals. They will learn important facts about prostate cancer from leading experts in the field, including information about warning signs and resources available at local hospitals and medical centers. Armed with insight, they will immediately begin a grassroots community battle to spread the word to their customers - urging them to take advantage of free screenings offered by local hospitals.

According to The Prostate Net, prostate cancer is the single most diagnosed of all cancers, and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. African American men have an incidence rate 59% greater than white males and a death rate 128% higher than white men. Latino/Hispanic males have the third highest rates of prostate cancer incidence and death. Medically underserved patients are usually diagnosed with advanced stage disease and have limited or no health insurance to pay for treatment.

"We provide the means to cope, until there is a cure," says Virgil Simons, founder of The Prostate Net.

Hundreds of barbers nationwide are expected to participate in the program, with a goal of encouraging 50,000 African American and Latino Men to be screened by March 1. Many leading cancer research centers in the US are participating in the community outreach campaign, which will continue throughout the year and expand to include information about asthma, heart disease and other illnesses affecting people of color.

Simons explains, "We want to honor the barbers' historic position as a business leader and communicator. Upon completion of their training sessions at local hospitals, these Community Health Motivators (barbers) will receive Certificates of Cutting Edge Achievement for taking time out of their busy schedules to fight cancer, in addition to MGM gift packages and other prizes. In partnership with local hospitals, we are pleased to participate in this grassroots campaign to help save lives."

To learn how your company can help or if you are a barber who would like to participate in a training session, call 1.888.4ProsNet or visit www.ProstateNet.org.

Background

Prostate Net Founder Simons was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995 at age 48. Despite having excellent medical coverage, a doctor with major credentials and a high degree of health literacy, he realized there was an overwhelming amount of data to digest and comprehend regarding his condition. He founded the non-profit entity to provide credible and actionable information, using a synergistic blend of cancer survivors, renowned cancer clinicians and researchers and corporate supporters that will enable patients, their families and health professionals to partner in making the appropriate choices to assure the best chance for cure and retention of the desired quality of life.

Participating Hospitals

California: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Warshaw Prostate Cancer Center (Los Angeles); Long Beach Memorial Medical Canter, Todd Cancer Center (Long Beach)

Colorado: Prostate Cancer Education Council (Greenwood Village)

Connecticut: Hartford Hospital, Gray Cancer Center (Hartford)

Washington, DC: Washington Cancer Institute, Patient and Community Services; Howard University Cancer Center

Georgia: Grady Memorial Hospital, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence (Atlanta);
Dia de la Mujera Latina (Marietta)

Illinois: Rush University Medical Center; Northwestern University Lurie Cancer Center, Department of Urology; University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Community Outreach (Chicago)

Maryland: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Community Programs and Research (Baltimore)

Mississippi: Memorial Hospital, Department of Oncology (Gulfport)

North Carolina: Duke University Medical Center, Duke Cancer Patient Support Program (Durham)

Nevada: Nevada Cancer Institute, Department of Education and Outreach (Las Vegas)

New Jersey: Capital Health System - Mercer, Brava/NJCEED Program; NJ Cancer Education & Early Detection Program, NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (Trenton); St. Michael's Medical Center, Cancer Early Detection and Education Program (Newark); Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Gallo Prostate Cancer Center (New Brunswick)

New York: Kingsbrook Medical Center (Brooklyn); Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, Community Affairs; Mount Sinai Medical Center; New York University School of Medicine, Dept. of Urology; Institute for Cancer Prevention (Manhattan); New York Hospital (Flushing)

Pennsylvania: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Department of Community Outreach (Cheltenham); Fox-Chase Temple University Cancer Center, Department of Patient Services and Development for Oncology (Philadelphia)

Texas: University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston)

For more information visit www.ProstateNet.org; for interview requests, contact:
Lynne Scott Jackson, Millynneum, Inc. 212.560.9300; millynneum@aol.com

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