Men and healthcare professionals urged to take proactive approach to prostate cancer

As prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in European men with more than 300,000 men being diagnosed every year, society needs to commit to changing the way the disease is viewed. Therefore a mini-symposium and lunch meeting are organized on 18 September 2009 in Antwerp on the occasion of the European launch of the Proactive Prostates Initiative, organized as part of Urology Week.

As part of this event, a European-wide 'Call to Action' on the need for society, men and healthcare professionals to take a proactive approach to prostate cancer will be launched.

The meeting is hosted by Europa Uomo and supported by the European Association of Urology and GlaxoSmithKline.

Join us in Antwerp to…

• Visit the giant EAU 'walk-in prostate' and learn more about prostate health and anatomy

• Question leading experts in the field of prostate cancer about current management techniques and what the future holds for patients with this disease

• Witness the Proactive Prostates 'Call to Action' being unveiled and supported by leading European men's health and advocacy groups

The programme is as follows:

Proactive Prostates Initiative: Establishing the facts

11.00

Welcome & launch of Proactive Prostates Initiative's establishing the facts.

Tom Hudson

Chairman, Europa Uomo

11.10

The burden of prostate cancer to society and European action

Frieda Brepoels, MEPs Against Cancer

11.25

The research enigma of prostate cancer

Prof. Jack Schalken,

UMC St. Radboud, NIjmegen, The Netherlands

11.40

The clinical enigma of prostate diseases

Prof. François Desgrandchamps

Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France

11.55

ECPC, the single voice of cancer patients

Jan Geissler, Director European Cancer Patients Coalition (ECPC)

Session 2

Proactive Prostates Initiative: Call to action - Press briefing

12.10

Prostate diseases: The impact on quality of life

Louis Denis

Europa Uomo

12.25

Facing the challenge of prostate cancer?

Unveil Call to Action

Chaired by Tom Hudson

Panel discussion on call to action

Q&A from journalists/attendees

12.45

Official unveiling of EAU walk-in prostate / photo opportunity

Monica De Coninck

Alderman City of Antwerp

13.00

Lunch & networking

ALL

15.00