“Sanibel woman lobbies FDA
for prostate cancer vaccine”

Reprinted with permission from WBBH-TV in Ft. Myers, Florida (see disclaimer below)*

LEE COUNTY: Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the U.S., killing more than 27,000 men each year, but that number could be on the decline. Sanibel native Jan Manarite has been an advocate for the cure of prostate cancer ever since her husband was diagnosed. She even lobbied the FDA for a new vaccine.

When Jan Manarite's husband, Dominic, was diagnosed with prostate cancer seven years ago, they were both devastated and overwhelmed.

"Our story started out with a wave of medical crisis, medical information that we didn't understand and too many questions we didn't have any answers to," said Jan Manarite.

The Manarites did find some answers thanks to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute in Los Angeles, an organization that educates patients and their families about prostate cancer.

"We learned that if we could work with our doctor and do our own research and bring in better questions we could get better answers," said Manarite.

Manarite says the institute's input helped extend and save her husband's life.

"He has defied every prognosis and every odd. He really shouldn't even still be here," said Manarite

Inspired by their work, Jan became a PCRI employee five years ago. On Sanibel Island, she's dedicated her life to helping people like Dominic.

Most recently, she traveled to Washington where she spoke before the FDA, urging them to approve a unique, new treatment called Provenge.

"It doesn't actually kill the prostate cancer itself, but it tries to retrain certain cells in your body to kill the prostate cancer," said Manarite.

"This is very exciting news for patients because it represents a new way of attacking the cancer and prolonging the life, and improving the quality of life," said Dr. James Reeves.

That’s something Jan is counting on."It's all about these men and it's all about Dominic. I'm hoping he can benefit from this therapy," said Manarite.

Provenge is already generating a lot of buzz because it has little to no side effects, unlike other prostate cancer treatments like surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

Provenge could become the first anti-cancer therapy vaccine approved by the FDA, which is expected to make its ruling on the treatment by May 15th.

See also Voice Raised At FDA Hearing.

* “Sanibel woman lobbies FDA for prostate cancer vaccine” was originally published on April 4, 2007 by WBBH-TV in Ft. Myers, Florida. Republication of the story does not constitute an endorsement, direct or implied, of Prostate Cancer Research Institute by WBBH-TV/Waterman Broadcasting Corp. © 2007 by NBC2 NEWS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI)
 

Material provided by PCRI is intended for educational purposes for discussion with your physician and should not be considered as medical advice. Information and opinions expressed on this website are not an endorsement by PCRI for any treatment, product or service.