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News Around Maine
 Conference Planned
Not exactly "news around Maine" but our friends at the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition have announced their plans for their 15th Annual Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Symposium taking place on Friday, May 18, 2012 in Newton, MA. The opening keynote presentation will be provided by Paul F. Schellhammer, MD, Professor of Urology – Eastern Virginia Medical School and entitled, "Treater To Target: A Urologists Perspective of Prostate Cancer." The closing keynote, "Humiliation, Shame and Embarrassment in a Medical Context" will be presented by Aaron Lazare, MD, UMass Medical Center.
Educational sessions include:
- Assessing Prostate Cancer Progression after Primary Treatment
- Clinical Trials: Updates on New and Emerging Therapies for Advanced Prostate Cancer
- Dealing with Advanced Prostate Cancer
- Imaging Advances in Prostate Cancer
- No Easy Answer for Prostate Questions: Help is on the Way from Two Websites
- Prostate Cancer and the Penis: The Facts Rarely Discussed
- Prostate Cancer Survivorship: What Every Man Should Know
- Protons for Prostate Cancer: Beams, Dreams, and Schemes and the Technology Arms Race
- Shared Decision-Making for Prostate Cancer Screening
- U.S. Preventative Service Task Force Recommendations: An update
Use this link for more information and to register.
Strength to Survive
 Maine General - Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care and the Kennebec Valley YMCA have partnered to create a 12-week small group exercise program for adult cancer survivors. The program will help:
- Restore strength and increase muscle mass and lean body tissue.
- Increase flexibility and endurance.
- Reduce severity of cancer side effects.
- Improve energy levels and self-esteem.
- Develop physical fitness regime that you can continue on your own at the completion of the program.
This program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00—10:00 a.m. at the Kennebec Valley YMCA, 31 Union St. Augusta.
Winter 2012 Session: January 3 thru March 22
Spring 2012 Session: March 27 thru June 14
Fee: $50.00 per participant with full use of YMCA on class days during program. Companion pass available for $25.00. Class is limited to10 participants.
To register or for more information, please call 626-4857 or e-mail
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Download the Strength to Survive flyer - 
September - Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
 The Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer was pleased and proud to announce that the Honorable Paul R. LePage, Governor of the State of Maine signed a proclamation announcing September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. On September 7, 2011 during a Blaine House (governor's mansion) reception in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness, the First Lady of the Great State of Maine presented the Proclamation to Coalition President Terrance Kungel and Chair of the Board of Directors Mona Ervin. Here are photos of the event. Here is a video slideshow of the event.
At the Fair
The MCFPC's table at the 2011 Common Ground Fair. Thank you to all who stopped by!
President Proclaims September - National Prostate Cancer Awarness Month
 On September 1, President Barack Obama signed an official proclamation making September 2011 National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and asking all Americans to "join in activities that will increase awareness and prevention of prostate cancer."
Read the whole Presidential Proclamation.
Prostate Cancer: Made easier by 'One-2-One Confidential'
A new program offering confidential conversations with those on the prostate cancer journey has begun in the state of Maine. The Maine American Cancer Society turned over it’s Man to Man program to Nelson Leavitt, the Founding President of the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer (MCFPC). Leavitt, had for years provided the leadership for the Maine ACS program and remembers too many men telling him, "I felt totally alone. I thought I was the only man who ever got prostate cancer."
Leavitt indicated there has been an increasing need for this service, which is now called One-2-One Confidential and is staffed by many volunteers, all prostate cancer survivors, who understand that no man need feel alone.
Read more about MCFPC One-2-One Confidential program.
New Videos from MCFPC
Two new videos in the series "What Men and Women Need to Know About Prostate Cancer" have been produced by the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer and Time Warner Cable. Part 4 in the series "What Men and Women Need to Know About Prostate Cancer - Turning Tables" was recorded in July 2011 and may be viewed on Time Warner public access stations in Maine on Sundays at 9:30pm, Tuesdays at 10am, and Thursday at 3pm during the month of August. In this video, host Mona Ervin discusses the effects of prostate cancer on spouses and partners with a panel of two women whose lives were changed by the disease.
Part 3 of the series, "What Men and Women Need to Know About Prostate Cancer - Treatment Options" was recorded in earlier this year and features host Mona Ervin discussing the various prostate cancer treatment options with a panel of surviors.
You may view all of the MCFPC videos here on our website.
Third Annual Father’s Day 5K
 The Third Annual Father’s Day 5K run organized by the Maine Track Club in cooperation with the Portland Sea Dogs and Maine Medical Partners Urology was run on June 19th.
According to WCSH-6, "in the last two years the race has raised $20,000 for Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer; that's money that stays completely in Maine."
Read the story and view the video report on WCSH6.com
Our photos from the 5K
Race results from the Maine Track Club
The Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer thanks all who participated in this event!
What not to do before your PSA test
Why you should say "NO" to sex the night before your PSA test...
...and other things you probably don't know about your prostate health, but should!
The 2011 Johns Hopkins Prostate Disorders White Paper has been published with lots of information. Read more about how to purchase this document.
IMPaCT 2011: Charting the course for a Cure
 The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) website has posted a new video describing the Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) which funds small innovative prostate cancer research projects. The video was released as part of the CDMRP's IMPaCT Conference (Innovative Minds in Prostate Cancer Today). View the video on the CDMRP Cures website.
MCFPC Awarded Grant to Help Patients Manage Their Emotional Journey
 The Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer recently submitted a grant application to the Maine Cancer Foundation to fund developing approaches to help prostate cancer patients better manage their emotional journey. The grant was approved in the amount of $10,000. The MCFPC and the medical community generally help prostate cancer patients navigate all their medical options, i.e. their medical journey, but there are few effective efforts within the prostate cancer community to address depression, anxiety, stress, loss and anger, i.e. their emotional journey. Now that this study is funded, we will be meeting with all the active prostate cancer support groups in Maine to get their stories about what each man/partner has experienced and is willing to share ideas about helping newly diagnosed men.
Gay Men’s Prostate Cancer Support group formed
A Gay Men’s Prostate Cancer Support group - for bi/gay men only - has been formed. For more information, please contact:
Northern/Down East -
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Central Maine -
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Southern Maine -
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ON THE LINE Launched
 Four leading organizations have collaborated with ESPN to launch ON THE LINE, a groundbreaking initiative that harnesses the power of sports and celebrities to challenge men to get off the sidelines and take charge of their prostate health.
Along with Us TOO, there are three other non-profit organizations highlighted as teammates to the campaign, all providing programs and services for men with prostate cancer and their families, including ZERO: The Project to End Prostate Cancer, Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).
Primary media vehicle, ESPN, the acknowledged worldwide leader in sports, will play a key role in distributing the message nationally across several sports to de-mystify the topic of prostate cancer by presenting information about the disease in the media company’s signature sports vernacular - clever, creative humor.
Leading the ON THE LINE launch at the height of college basketball season is an elite team of legends, including prostate cancer survivor Digger Phelps, fellow legendary basketball coaches Bob Knight and John Thompson, former NBC and CBS college basketball broadcaster Billy Packer, and sportscaster Erin Andrews, whose father is a prostate cancer survivor.
For more information:
New Clinical Trials Database for Prostate Cancer
 In partnership with CenterWatch, Malecare recently has developed a new, comprehensive and up-to-date clinical trials database and information pages regarding prostate and testicular cancer.
On this new on-line resource you will find information on:
- Listing of Current Clinical Trials
- Listing of Studies at the National Institutes of Health
- FDA Drug Approvals
- Oncology Research Centers
- New Medical Therapies (NMT) Trial Results
Use this link to go directly to the new Malecare.org resource.
The Era of Rationing Begins
 An article by Sally Pipes in NJToday describes the US Food and Drug Administration's revocation of their approval of the drug Avastin for the treatment of advanced breast cancer and news of the potential that Provenge, a drug for advanced prostate cancer, may also be in jeopardy of losing approval.
Read the whole NJToday article by Sally Pipes - 
MCFPC in the News
 The Times Record of mid-coast Maine has recently profiled members of the Bath/Brunswick Area Prostate Cancer Support Group. We are grateful to Times Record correspondent, Darren Fishell for the effort, thoughtfulness and balance that he has demonstrated in the writing of these pieces. Thanks go to Terry Kungel for proposing this idea to Darren, and to Stuart Hunter as well as Sandy and Ole Jaeger for agreeing to be profiled and for sharing the stories of their personal journeys with prostate cancer so openly, honestly and articulately. Images at right shows MCFPC Board members recognizing Darren Fishell and his editor, Robert Long for supporting our cause.
 Links to the articles:
Additional Support for Co-Pay Relief Program Serving Prostate Cancer Patients
 Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) - a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases - is pleased to announce that it has received a substantial contribution which will provide additional funding support for prostate cancer patients through its Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR). Read more about the Co-Pay Relief Program...
Affordable Care Act
 The recent passing of the Affordable Care Act makes it possible for millions of families and small business to get affordable, quality care. And HealthCare.gov makes it easy to find out what options are available to you based on your location and circumstances.
The website is a great resource.
Throughout the site, there are little yellow boxes where you can give feedback and help the website be as informative, clear and complete as possible. The HealthCare.gov team at the Department of Health and Human Services meets every week to go over this feedback and has already made some improvements based on it.
More information for businesses and families is coming soon, including pricing data for insurance plans, additional ways to compare quality of health care services and providers, and new consumer protections that are ending the worst abuses of the insurance industry. Be sure to check back often as new materials are added.
Visit HealthCare.gov now
Men's Health Caucus
 A Men's Health Caucus was created in association with the American Public Health Association to foster a better understanding of how to define and meet the health and wellness needs of men and boys.
The Caucus is now online at www.menshealthcaucus.net. Check it out today to find out more about the caucus, discover men's health resources and learn how to join.
How to Motivate Men to Go to the Doctor
During Men’s Health Month, the American Psychological Association wrote an article discussing some of the reasons that men avoid physical exams and how to motivate them otherwise. The article was published on their blog entitled Your Mind Your Body.
Among the reasons mentioned for putting off exams is the lack of a clear message and role model to demonstrate and emphasize the importance of regular checkups. Also mentioned were the societal view that men avoid seeking help and that men are often anxious about the medical procedures themselves.
The article explored what is needed to encourage a change in culture and education. A good role model, particularly a father, grandfather or other male mentor is key to ensuring this change. Family members can also help encourage the men in their life, by letting him know how much you care and that you want him to be around for a long time.
You can read the full article at www.yourmindyourbody.org
Resources Added
The MCFPC has added two new resources. The Gay and Bisexual Man's Page includes a source for excellent educational and support information for gay men with prostate cancer. The Low Cost Healthcare Options page provides lists of low cost healthcare options for Maine men. Please check out these new resources.
Hormone Therapy Group Meetings
 This is a pilot program to help men with metastatic cancer manage the difficulties they face with all the side effects from hormone therapy treatment. This support group will permit in depth discussion about the unique challenges men on hormone therapy have to manage. Our intent is also to develop hormone therapy support groups throughout the state.
Location: Cancer Community Center, Conference Room, 778 Main Street, Route 1, South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 774-2200
For more information, contact:
Terry Kungel - (207) 443-4300 -
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AUA Foundation Prostate Cancer Webinar Series
 The American Urological Association Foundation (AUAF) has assembled leading medical experts to present a series of FREE Webinars on issues relevant to your prostate health.
Coalition Newsletter Archives
Here are links to past issues of the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer Newsletter. All newsletter are in PDF and require a browser plugin to read:
November 2010
June 2010
March 2010
November 2009
September 2009
July 2009
June 2009
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