Cantey Hanger attorney, lung cancer survivor named to peer review for DOD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 18, 2010 -- Charles Florsheim
Partner/Cantey Hanger
(817) 877-2875
cflorsheim@canteyhanger.com

Gail Whitehead
Public Affairs
(301) 619-7783
gail.whitehead@amedd.army.mil





Cantey Hanger Partner Charles Florsheim
selected to participate on national panel

Scientific peer review of lung cancer research proposals
for the Department of Defense

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Lung cancer survivor and advocate Charles Florsheim, a partner with the Cantey Hanger law firm, has been selected to participate in the evaluation of research proposals submitted to the Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) sponsored by the Department of Defense.

Florsheim was nominated for participation by the LUNGevity Foundation. As a consumer reviewer, he is a full voting member, along with prominent
scientists, at meetings Feb. 21 and 22 to begin the determination of how the
$20 million appropriated by the U.S. Congress during fiscal year 2009 will be spent on lung cancer research.

Florsheim is one of just 20 consumer advocates that will participate in the FY09 peer review meetings and provide comments and scores for research proposals.

“I’m honored and excited,” Florsheim said. "Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, killing more people per annum than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer combined. Unfortunately, lung cancer falls behind other cancers in research funding and awareness.

“I believe this is a result of it being considered a ‘smokers' disease.’ As a lung cancer survivor who never smoked, I can attest that such is not the case.

Though tobacco smoke is well established as the leading cause of lung cancer, other causes contribute to lung cancer. These include indoor and outdoor environmental risk factors, occupational exposures and diet. My goals as a lung cancer survivor are to raise awareness of the truth about lung cancer and the need for funding for research to improve early detection, treatment, and hopefully, a cure for this terrible disease."

Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of lung cancer survivors and patients, family members and persons at risk for the disease. They will prepare comments on the impact of the research on issues such as disease prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life after treatment.

This is the first year in which consumer advocates and scientists will work together to evaluate the scientific merit of lung cancer research proposals. Captain E. Melissa Kaime, M.D., Director of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, said, “The Consumer Reviewers on each panel help the scientists understand the patient’s perspective and provide valuable insight into the potential impact of the proposed project. Likewise, they are enriched by learning more about the scientific process through discussing proposals with the other peer review panel members and seeing the future possibilities of successful research.

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