Health and Prostate

American Association for Cancer Education (AACE)

A professional organization of educators in many disciplines who are working to improve the quality of education in the field of cancer. The association provides a forum for those concerned with the education of health professionals working to advance the prevention of cancer, expedite early cancer detection, promote individualized therapy, and develop rehabilitation programs for cancer patients.

American Association for Cancer Education (AACE) efforts include the faculties of schools of medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, education, pharmacy, nursing, public health, and social work. The association encourages projects for the training of paramedical personnel and educational programs for the general public, populations at risk, and cancer patients.

The group was founded in 1947 as the Cancer Coordinators, an association of cancer educators in U.S. medical and dental schools who met annually to discuss issues in the field. The mission of the association today is to foster cancer education by individuals throughout the world involved in cancer education. It provides a forum for health-related professionals concerned with the study and improvement of cancer education at the undergraduate, graduate, continuing professional, and paraprofessional levels.

Active members include physicians, dentists, nurses, health educators, social workers, occupational therapists, and other professionals interested in cancer education. Cancer education efforts are related to prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Other interests of the association include educational programs for the general public, for populations at special risk, and for cancer patients. Such efforts involve developing and evaluating new educational strategies and methods, including the examination of objectives, courses, and evaluation instruments; expanding public education; fostering international cooperative efforts in cancer education; and furthering education in cancer prevention.

American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)

A scientific nonprofit organization founded in 1976 that sets guidelines to ensure the safety and availability of high-quality transplantable human tissue. Organizations such as sperm banks attain American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) membership through a process of inspection and accreditation by adhering to the published standards of the group. The AATB further promotes the quality and safety of tissues and cells for transplantation through its program of voluntary inspection and accreditation of tissue banks. The association also maintains a registry of U.S. sperm banks.

Some men who are interested in fathering children consider sperm banking before surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy treatments that may render them infertile. Sperm banks are facilities at a limited number of health care institutions where sperm are frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen-cooled refrigerators.

Before treatment, patients are usually advised to collect specimens over at least two weeks. Specimens can be stored because the capacity of sperm to fertilize eggs does not change for an extended period.

Sperm banks charge fees for freezing, storing, and retrieving sperm for the donor. Costs vary among institutions, and some portions are covered by some insurance companies. Since most physicians want patients to start cancer treatment shortly after diagnosis, it is important to locate a sperm bank as soon as possible to begin storing sperm.

American Brachytherapy Society (ABS)

A nonprofit, professional organization founded in 1978 that seeks to provide insight and research into the use of brachytherapy in malignant and benign conditions. Members include physicists, physicians, and other health care providers interested in brachytherapy. The mission of the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) is to provide information directly to the consumer, promote the highest standards of practice of brachytherapy, and help health-care professionals by encouraging improved and continuing education for radiation oncologists and other professionals involved in the treatment of cancer. In addition, the ABS promotes clinical and laboratory research into the practice of brachytherapy.

American Cancer Society (ACS)

A nationwide community-based organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and easing suffering through research, education, advocacy, and service. It is one of the oldest and largest voluntary health agencies in the United States: more than two million Americans are involved in programs of research, education, patient service, advocacy, and rehabilitation. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has state divisions throughout the country and more than 3,400 local offices.

To ease the impact of cancer on patients and their families, the American Cancer Society provides service and rehabilitation programs, as well as patient and family education and support programs. The ACS provides printed materials and conducts educational programs. Society staff members also accept calls and distribute publications in Spanish and sponsor a number of related support groups, including Cancer Survivors Network, I Can Cope, Look Good . . . Feel Better, and Reach To Recovery. A local ACS group may be listed in the white pages of the telephone directory.

The society has invested more than $2.4 billion in cancer research and has provided grant support to 32 Nobel Prize winners early in their career. The society’s overall annual expenditure in research grew steadily from $1 million in 1946 to more than $125 million in 2002. The research program focuses primarily on peer-reviewed projects initiated by beginning investigators working in leading medical and scientific institutions across the country. The research program consists of three components: extramural grants, intramural epidemiology and surveillance research, and the intramural behavioral research center. The society’s prevention programs focus primarily on tobacco control, the relationship between diet and physical activity and cancer, promotion of comprehensive school health education, and reduction of the risk of skin cancer.

The society also gives patients and professionals information via its early detection guidelines and its detection education and advocacy programs, in order to ensure that all cancers are detected at the earliest possible stage, when there is the greatest chance of successful treatment. The society sponsors national conferences and workshops, audiovisual and print publications, the American Cancer Society Web site, and the National Call Center, as well as clinical awards, professorships, and scholarships.

American Cancer Society Web site

This Web site (at www.cancer.org) is sponsored by the American cancer society to provide lifesaving information to the public. The site includes an interactive cancer resource center containing in-depth information on every major cancer type. Through the resource center, visitors can order American Cancer Society publications, gain access to recent news articles, and find additional on- and off-line resources. Other sections on the Web site include a directory of medical resources, links to other sites organized by cancer type or topic, resources for media representatives, and information on the society’s research grants program, advocacy efforts, and special events.

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)

A nonprofit tax-exempt organization that has more than 400 chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, India, Jordan, and Russia. Since 1980 the association has provided a support system for people with chronic pain through education in pain management skills and self-help group activities. Groups are open to anyone who has chronic pain, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, or source of the pain.

The American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) facilitates peer support and education for individuals who have chronic pain and their families so that these individuals may live more fully in spite of their pain. The association also works to raise awareness among the health care community, policy makers, and the public about issues related to living with chronic pain.

American College of Radiology (ACR)

A medical specialty society of more than 31,000 members established in 1923 that promotes high-quality medical imaging. A leader in radiation oncology for the past 25 years, the American College of Radiology (ACR) recently created the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN), a multi-center network that conducts diagnostic imaging studies comparing current techniques and equipment with new technology.

The members of the American College of Radiology include radiologists, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists. For more than three-quarters of a century the ACR has devoted its resources to making imaging safe, effective, and accessible to those who need it.

The ACR supports a number of accreditation programs, including programs in ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, radiography/fluoroscopy, and computed tomography. Patients can search for accredited facilities at the ACR Web site.

American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD)

A nonprofit agency interested in the prevention and cure of urologic disease through the expansion of patient education, public awareness, research, and advocacy. The agency, founded in 1987, has earmarked more than $2.4 million for research and public education initiatives. Family Urology, the official magazine of the foundation, reaches more than 100,000 readers each quarter.

The foundation offers a membership program to help support its mission and to keep medical professionals, patients, family members, and friends informed about urologic disease and dysfunctions, including prostate cancer treatment options and sexual function. They also offer prostate cancer support groups, such as Prostate Cancer Network. Some Spanish-language publications are available.

The foundation’s education councils have distributed more than 6 million brochures nationwide to patients, grassroots organizations, physicians, medical specialty groups, allied health-care workers, and corporations.

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)

A nonprofit group that provides information about cancer prevention, particularly through diet and nutrition, and supports research at sites throughout the country. The institute also offers a toll-free nutrition hotline, a pen pal support network, and a wide array of consumer and health professional brochures, plus health aids related to diet and nutrition and their link to cancer and cancer prevention.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) also supports CancerResource, an information and resource program for cancer patients. A limited selection of Spanish-language publications is available.

Since its founding in 1982 the American Institute for Cancer Research has grown into the nation’s leading charity in the field of diet, nutrition, and cancer. AICR also offers a wide range of cancer prevention education programs and publications for health professionals and the public. Through these pioneering efforts, AICR has helped focus attention on the link between cancer and lifestyle choices. Over the past several years, the institute has spent 66 percent to 72 percent of its funds on research and education.

American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)

An organization established in 1959 to publish systems of classification of cancer, including staging and end results reporting, for doctors. This information is used to help select the most effective treatment, determine prognosis, and continue evaluation of cancer control measures.

The organization is comprised of six founding organizations, four sponsoring organizations, and seven liaison organizations. Membership is reserved for those organizations whose missions or goals are consistent with or complementary to those of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).

These organizations generally demonstrate involvement or activity in one or more of the following areas: cancer epidemiology, patient care, cancer control, cancer registration, professional education, research, and biostatistics.

Sponsoring organizations include the American cancer society, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

American Pain Society

A multidisciplinary organization of basic and clinical scientists, practicing clinicians, policy analysts, and others interested in advancing pain-related research, education, treatment, and professional practice. The American Pain Society was founded on March 6, 1977, in Chicago. In its Pain Facilities Directory, the society offers information on more than 500 specialized pain treatment centers across the country. It also offers counseling for pain, referrals, and education programs.

American Prostate Society (APS)

A nonprofit organization that provides information on the most up-to-date treatments for prostate cancer, prostatitis, prostate growth, and impotence. In addition to a Web site featuring frequently asked questions (FAQs) and other information, the American Prostate Society (APS) offers a free newsletter on request.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting all types of cancer research, but especially patient-oriented clinical research. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) mission is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care, foster the exchange of information, further the training of researchers, and encourage communication among the various cancer specialties.

ASCO has more than 16,000 professional members worldwide, including clinical oncologists in medical oncology, therapeutic radiology, surgical oncology, pediatric oncology, gynecologic oncology, urologic oncology, and hematology; students; oncology nurses; and other health-care practitioners. International members make up 20 percent of the total membership and represent 75 countries worldwide.

American Urological Association (AVA)

The world’s preeminent urological association, which conducts a wide range of activities to ensure that more than 13,000 members remain current on the most recent research and best practices in the field of urology.

An educational nonprofit organization, the American Urological Association (AUA) fosters the highest standards of urologic care by providing a wide range of services, including publications, an annual meeting, continuing medical education, and health policy advocacy.

Association for the Cure of Cancer of the Prostate (CaP CURE)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for prostate cancer through support of research, education, and prevention. The group’s activities include advocacy, research, referrals, and information on clinical trials. The Association for the Cure of Cancer of the Prostate (CaP CURE) is the largest private source of funding for prostate cancer research in the world. Since its inception in 1993 CaP CURE has awarded more than $104 million to fund 1,000 medical research projects worldwide. Its advocacy efforts likewise have had significant impact, resulting in an overall increase in U.S. government support for prostate cancer research from $60 million to $430 million annually, organization of the first National Cancer Summit and March on Washington, and sponsorship of more than 80 clinical trials.

Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)

A group of online communities designed to provide timely and accurate information about cancer in a supportive environment. The Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) offers access to mailing lists that provide support, information, and community to everyone affected by cancer and related disorders. In addition to mailing lists, ACOR aims to provide patients with access to varied and credible information sources through Internet resource development and partnership with trusted content providers and to improve communication between patients and health-care professionals through advocacy in a variety of public forums, including professional journals and other media.

Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC)

The leading U.S. oncology policy organization for the cancer care team, dedicated to helping cancer professionals adapt to the complex challenges of program management, reimbursement, legislation, and regulations. In the 1970s the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) presented the first U.S. meeting on hospital oncology units and hospice care; throughout the 1990s, association support resulted in passage of ACCC’s off-label drug legislation in 39 states. The association focuses on helping to assure that cancer programs are adequately funded. ACCC priorities also include cancer patient advocacy and long-term plans for the joint development of guidelines for standard patient care.

ACCC members include medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, cancer program administrators, hospital executives, practice managers, oncology nurses and social workers, and cancer program data managers. ACCC Institution/Group Practice members include more than 650 medical centers, hospitals, oncology practices, and cancer programs across the United States.

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