MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (April 2, 2007)—Diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, strategies for reducing cancer risk, and how cancer screening can make a difference will be the topics for the spring Cancer U: Ask the Experts series, jointly sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center and University of Minnesota Medical Center.

This free community education series is an opportunity to talk with University cancer doctors, researchers, nurses, and counselors about cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and research. The programs in the series will include:

• April 12: Prostate Cancer -- Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment. Presented by Kenneth Koeneman, M.D., 6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 12, at the Radisson University Hotel, 615 Washington Ave., S.E., Minneapolis. Koeneman is a urologic surgeon and director of the Center for Prostate Cancer.
• April 19 and 21: Cancer Risk Reduction Strategies. Presented by Tim Church, Ph.D.; Mary Jarvis Aherns, M.S.; and Rahel Ghebre, M.D., 6-8 p.m., Thursday, April 19,at the Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road in Maple Grove. This program will be repeated from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, April 21, at the Radisson University Hotel, 615 Washington Ave., S.E., Minneapolis. Church is a cancer epidemiology researcher, Ahrens is a genetic counselor, and Ghebre is a gynecologic oncologist.
• May 3: Does Cancer Screening Make a Difference. Presented by Tim Emory, M.D., and Robert Madoff, M.D., 6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 3, at the Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road in Maple Grove. Emory is a radiologist specializing in breast cancer screening, and Madoff is a colon and rectal surgeon.

These programs are offered at no charge, but pre-registration is encouraged because seating is limited. For more information and to pre-register, call 612-624-2620 or visit the Cancer U: Ask the Experts Web page.

The Masonic Cancer Center is part of the University's Academic Health Center. It is a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute. For more information about the Masonic Cancer Center, call the information line at 612-624-2620 or toll-free in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Dakotas at 1-888-CANCER MN (1-888-226-2376), or visit the Web at www.cancer.umn.edu.

Media Contact: Mary Lawson, Public Relations Director, Masonic Cancer Center, 612-624-6165, 612-363-6971 (cell), mlawson@umn.edu.