Ovarian Cancer Experts Focus on Prevention and Treatment
Bridgewater, NJ, April 14, 2008 — The HealthCare Institute New Jersey (HINJ) today hosted a Women’s Health Care Summit on Ovarian Cancer at the Morris Museum in Morristown, which featured Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen and a host of ovarian cancer experts.
“The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey is pleased to sponsor the Women’s Health Summit on Ovarian Cancer,” said Bob Franks, President of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey. “It is so critical that we not only bring information on cutting-edge research, diagnostics, and treatments to the community, but also resources on access to health care and needed prescription medicines.”
Ovarian cancer accounts for approximately 3 percent of all cancers in women and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States. The incidence rate for ovarian cancer has been declining since the early 1990s.
“The statistics on ovarian cancer are alarming. Over 15,000 die each year of this silent disease,” said Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-11). “But thanks to the hard work and terrific research being done by experts and doctors in the field, we can save more lives and better protect the health of countless women.”
The program featured a keynote address by Dr. Elise C. Kohn, MD. of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
The program also included a panel discussion featuring Darlene Gibbon, MD, Cancer Institute of New Jersey; Janice L. Berliner, MS, CGC, The Cancer Genetic Counseling Program, Saint Barnabas Cancer Center; Daniel Tobias, MD, The Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Morristown Memorial Hospital; Roshini George, MD, Hematology-Oncology Associates of Northern NJ; and Anupama Nehra, MD, Somerset Medical Center.
Two survivors of Ovarian Cancer, Lois Myers and Gail MacNeil, co-founders of the Kaleidoscope of Hope, shared their stories with the attendees and stressed the importance of awareness.
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all cancers of the female reproductive system. This reflects, in part, a lack of early symptoms and proven ovarian cancer screening tests. Thus, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, after the cancer has spread beyond the ovary. White women have higher incidence and mortality rates than other racial and ethnic groups. It is estimated that approximately $2.2 billion is spent in the United States each year on treatment of ovarian cancer.
Major Funding support was provided by Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi-Aventis. Additional funding support was provided by BD, Bristol Myers-Squibb Company, Eisai Inc., Merck & Company, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Schering-Plough Corporation and Wyeth.
In addition, there were exhibitors from these organizations as well as from Atlantic Health System, Kaleidoscope of Hope, Northern New Jersey national Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Office of Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Somerset Medical Center, St. Barnabas Health System, St. Clare’s Health System and Wellness Community.