HealthTalk And Sisters Network(R)Inc. Join Forces For National Breast Cancer Educational Program

NEW YORK and HOUSTON, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthTalk, Inc., a pioneer in patient education delivering live and web-based programs on the latest treatments and research, and Sisters Network Inc., the only national African- American breast cancer survivorship organization in United States, have joined forces for a national breast cancer educational initiative to benefit all women affected by the disease.

The year-long series of programs will build upon the highly successful six-year-old Sisters Network's "Stop the Silence" campaign, originally developed to support African-American women affected by breast cancer. As part of the year-long partnership, HealthTalk will expand Sisters Network's "Stop the Silence" initiative to reach women of all races nationwide. The expanded program is designed to help ensure all women get early and the most up-to-date diagnosis of their breast cancer, targeted and appropriate treatment, and a full range of support services for breast cancer survivors. In the United States, there are over 2 million women living with breast cancer. Recognizing that the cancer is often caught later and is more aggressive in African-American women and in some other minorities, "Stop the Silence" will have a special emphasis aimed at erasing the disparities of care.

At the heart of the Sisters Network's "Stop the Silence" campaign is a 39- city tour of free educational forums that are developed in partnership with well-known cancer centers and influential local and regional advocacy and support groups. These grassroots events will be conducted in major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, Tampa and Houston and there will be a series of smaller regional events that bring breast cancer awareness programs to the local community. Additionally, HealthTalk.com will feature monthly recorded programs of patient and expert interviews; "Ask The Doctor" columns providing patients the opportunity for follow-up questions; and "Pink Ribbon Minutes" which are HealthTalk produced radio reports on breast cancer topics to be broadcast nationwide.

Sisters Network's "Stop the Silence" initiative will be supported by multiple marketing vehicles, including internet promotion, newspaper advertising, advocacy partner communications and newsletter mailings. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies who want to participate in this program by providing educational grants can contact Cathi White at HealthTalk, (206) 957-0122.

"Too many African-American women continue to die from breast cancer. Our unique partnership with HealthTalk provides Sisters Network an opportunity to take our 'Stop the Silence' campaign to a larger audience so we can not only save more African-American women's lives, but give every woman the best chance of beating breast cancer and leading the long life that we all deserve," says Karen Jackson, Founder and CEO of Sisters Network Inc.

Breast Cancer Facts

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. About 211,240 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2005. About 40,410 women will die from the disease this year. Right now there are slightly over 2 million women living in the United States who have been treated for breast cancer.

African American Breast Cancer Statistics -- An estimated 20,000 newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African-American women, and 5,700 of them are expected to die with the disease. -- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among this ethnic group, surpassed only by lung cancer. -- The breast cancer death rate remains higher among African-American women than Caucasian women despite a lower incidence rate. -- The five-year survival rate of breast cancer among African-American women is 74%, compared to 88% among Caucasian women. -- Scientists are not sure why breast cancer affects African-American women and Caucasian women differently. -- The incidence of breast cancer among women under 45 is higher for African-American women compared to Caucasian women; however, the risk of breast cancer for all women increases with age. -- African-American women are more likely to be diagnosed with larger tumors and more advanced stages of breast cancer despite a lower incidence rate. About HealthTalk

HealthTalk, Inc. (www.healthtalk.com) is a pioneer in providing disease information and support resources that empower patients and caregivers coping with serious medical conditions to proactively and effectively manage their diseases. Now in its 20th year, HealthTalk partners with leading medical authorities and institutions to deliver information to patients and physicians on the latest medical research, treatments and lifestyle issues. The company's consumer resources include grassroots meetings where key opinion leaders communicate directly with patients and community chats and web-casts where users gain access to experts online. In addition to HealthTalk's network of over 45,000 breast cancer patients in its Breast Cancer Education Network, the company has networks for numerous other medical conditions including Asthma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Colon Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

About Sisters Network Inc.

Sisters Network, Inc. (www.sistersnetworkinc.org) is the only national African-American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. For more than ten years, the non-profit organization has solidified its position as the national voice and leader in the African-American woman's fight against breast cancer. Currently, the organization has 3,000 members, 45 affiliate chapters and in 2004 reached more than 5 million families with breast health outreach initiatives, survivorship support, advocacy training and research recruitment. Sisters Network also hosts the only national African-American Breast Cancer Conference annually and is the founding force behind the six-year-old "Stop the Silence" campaign.

Contacts: Alyssa Schaier Public Relations 914.589.6904 aschaier@informedmedical.com Caleen Allen Public Relations Sisters Network Inc. 713.781.0255 infonet@sistersnetworkinc.org

HealthTalk, Inc.

CONTACT: Alyssa Schaier, Public Relations, +1-914-589-6904 oraschaier@informedmedical.com, for HealthTalk, Inc.; or Caleen Allen, PublicRelations of Sisters Network Inc., +1-713-781-0255 orinfonet@sistersnetworkinc.org

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