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Movember Announces Global Collaboration for Prostate Cancer Research

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Movember, the popular men's health charity initiative working in nine countries, today announced the launch of its Global Action Plan (GAP) to advance research aimed at ending death and suffering from prostate cancer. Working with a team of leading prostate cancer experts from around the world, the GAP has been designed to accelerate key research outcomes.
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Movember, the popular men's health charity initiative working in nine countries, today announced the launch of its Global Action Plan (GAP) to advance research aimed at ending death and suffering from prostate cancer. Working with a team of leading prostate cancer experts from around the world, the GAP has been designed to accelerate key research outcomes.

Movember's GAP will support one large, international research initiative each year that engages the most innovative prostate cancer researchers in the world, from both Movember and non-Movember participating countries, to collaborate on tackling some of the key challenges in developing better tests and treatment options for men affected by prostate cancer.

In Canada, 24,600 men will be diagnosed per year with prostate cancer -- 1 in 6 men.

Movember's vision is to have an everlasting impact on the state of men's health. The GAP is an important step towards achieving this by identifying and funding ground breaking research projects. The GAP will complement existing programs funded by Movember's beneficiary partners around the world. The key to this initiative is not just funding collaborative global research, but also sharing data freely with the entire prostate cancer community and beyond.

"We firmly believe that Movember's GAP will accelerate key outcomes in prostate cancer research globally," commented Paul Villanti, Chairman of Movember. "With our international reach we are uniquely placed to support this initiative and accelerate significant achievements that will impact the quality of men's health around the world."

Movember's close ties with beneficiary partners around the world provides a unique opportunity to achieve research breakthroughs faster by bringing together, as a team, prostate cancer experts from around the world.

Movember has appointed a Global Scientific Committee (GSC) to oversee the initiative. The Committee will be supported by an expert Research Advisory Committee, established to oversee each research program, and a dedicated Movember program manager.

The GSC represents the very best prostate cancer experts from around the world, all of whom will advise Movember on priority international research initiatives in line with GAP's goals. Dr. Robert Bristow, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Executive member of Prostate Cancer Canada's Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee, is a member of the GSC. Biographies of all GSC members can be found at .

"We have been the Canadian beneficiary partner for four years and consider ourselves part of the Movember family," said Steve Jones, President & CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada. "We are thrilled to contribute to the worldwide growth of Movember and the advancement of research that the GAP will realize whilst bringing together the best in class of researchers. GAP will be the benchmark in cancer research as we join forces for a common cause."

"Prostate cancer research is often most effective when multi-disciplinary teams across different research institutions work together to address key scientific challenges," said GSC Independent Chair, Professor Colleen Nelson of the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. "This is usually done within a given centre, occasionally across one country. Rarely is there an opportunity to do this on a global scale. Movember GAP provides an unprecedented challenge and opportunity to unite prostate cancer researchers across the globe to achieve key breakthroughs faster."

Movember and its beneficiary partners are excited to be introducing the Movember GAP initiative. It's widely recognized that better diagnostic tests, prognostic indicators, and new treatments for prostate cancer are needed. Too many men are dying from the disease and too many men are being over-treated due to the limitations of current tests. GAP is aiming to accelerate significant achievements that will impact the quality of men's health globally.

Since inception, Movember has raised more than $100 million globally to change the face of men's health. In its first three years in Canada, Movember has raised more than $10 million in support of Prostate Cancer Canada.

About Movember

Movember is the world's largest charity event raising funds for cancer affecting men -- specifically prostate cancer. Each November, Movember invites men across the globe to grow moustaches (or "Mos") while raising funds and awareness for men's health. Movember aims to forever change the face of men's health, by raising awareness and funds that will reduce the number of preventable male deaths by cancer. For more information please visit .

CONTACT: Movember Media Contact: Jo-Anne Stayner 604.603.0657 Joanne@smak.ca