Prostate Cancer Foundation partners with VA to increase research | Courtesy of Shutterstock
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Carol Ostrow | Dec 2, 2016

Prostate Cancer Foundation partners with VA to increase research

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently launched a $50 million program to increase prostate cancer research among the veteran population and expedite further treatment possibilities for patients.

 

Signed in Washington, D.C., the collaboration is a first for the two entities. The VA has access to very large data sets, and by granting availability will enable researchers to advance their work more efficiently.

 

With approximately 12,000 military vets diagnosed annually with prostate cancer, the effort will target what is currently the most frequently found type of cancer in the veteran population. In addition, researchers have found evidence that the disease affects African Americans at a rate that is 64 percent higher than that of other races or ethnicities.

 

"Fighting and treating cancer among our veterans is a team effort, which is why this … event coupled with these partnerships so important," VA Secretary Robert McDonald said.

 

Precision oncology medicine is a type of health care utilizing DNA codes within tumors to tailor treatment to individuals.

 

The partnership’s objectives include increasing numbers in funding applications; facilities participating in precision medicine for prostate cancer clinical trials; veterans enrolled in studies, including minority veterans; and scientists opting for careers in prostate cancer research.

 

"Our goal is to increase our scientific understanding of prostate cancer among veterans and to kick-start the development of precision medicine treatments for them, as well as the general population," PCF President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Simons said. "This agreement will open new doors for the research community to work with veterans facing a life threatening disease and ultimately reduce the disease burden on America's veterans."

 

Founded in 1993, PCF is based in Santa Monica, California.

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