Marketing Costs Fuel High Cost of Drugs

If you use prescription drugs you know prices are going through the roof. Big Pharma's marketing budgets have increased 30% in the last 2 years to over 4.5 billion dollars.

"Ask your doctor ads" are now a constant on TV.

The American Medical Association has recently called for a ban on this type of advertising. Fixed income seniors are really feeling the pinch, and in many cases must forego their medical options to put food on the table.

The AMA's vote in support of an advertising ban is opposed by the pharmaceutical industry.

What do you think?

The Palisades on the Oat Hill Mine Trail in Napa, California 

Thank You Governor Brown - Dying With Dignity

Governor Brown made California the 5th state in the USA to allow its citizenry the right to choose a dignified death in the last 6 months of a terminal illness.

We feel there are enough safe guards in place so this humane choice will not be abused.

Bravo Governor Brown & the California legislature.

When it Comes to cancer, Women Decide on Treatment Options Different Than Men

This should come as no surprise. After all men are from Mars, women from Venus! 

But a recent study conducted by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center confirms a marked difference when it comes to treatment choices.

Men with prostate cancer were generally found to be analytical, methodical and data driven in assessing their options.

They based their decisions on scientific studies and often got several doctors opinions.

Women with breast cancer on the otherhand were often mistrustful of scientific data and their own doctors. Many women, fearing recurrence, opted for aggressive treatments such as double mastectomy. On line forums, advice from friends and stories from other women tended to supersede scientific studies and medical experts when it came to treatment paths.

Still Recruiting For The ProstaPhase BPH Trial!

BPH, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia afflicts the majority of men by 75, and some men as early as in their 40's.

The PAF is in the process of recruiting 30 men (14 recruited so far) for a 6 month evaluation of a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula called ProstaPhase for BPH relief.

The product is being provided free of charge to participants by Tango Advanced Nutrition. 

Contact Ken Malik @ 415-675-5661 to sign up.

(Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp & Vegetable Stir Fry. Look for the recipe in the next "Recipe of the Month!)

You can get all the details at www.prostrawarenessfoundation.org

The Recipe of the Month Girl

We thought you might be interested in seeing The Recipe of the Month Girl Gail Etzler.

She's happy to be getting back to her active life style after a hip replacement surgery in April, now she has one on each side.

We look forward to your latest recipe.

Go girl!

Chemotherapy May Worsen End Of Life Quality

A new study by the Center for Research on End-Of-Life Care at Weill Cornell Medical College in NY reports surprising and unexpected results. In a study of 312 cancer patients given 6 months or less to live, even stronger patients that were given Chemo in the hope of improving survival time had worsened quality of life and no difference in survival time from those opting out of another round of end stage chemo.

If you have a loved one or friend that had treatment at this late stage you more than likely knew this already.

There is a time and place for everything. In the case of late stage cancer we have seen time and again the sad cycle of constipation, diarrhea nausea and other problems destroy quality of life. Hopefully this study will make the excruciating question all cancer patients with a short time to live ask themselves: "should I try another round of Chemo?" an easier decision. And, we have not even discussed the exorbitant cost of these treatments, a financial windfall for the medical establishment!

Some of the PAF Hikers at the Land's End to Baker Beach hike.

Successful Summit of Mt. Baker by the PAF Team

A 5 man climbing team backed by a five man support team and 2 professional guides reached the summit of 10,781' Mt Baker in North Cascades National Park on Wednesday, July 15th.

Unseasonably warm weather made the technical climb especially challenging because of collapsing snow and ice bridges and the danger of rock fall.

This year's Cancer Climb & Trek for Prostate Awareness climbing team consisted of Ken Malik the PAF founder and executive director from California, Darren Paul a sports medicine oriented chiropractor from British Columbia, John & Matt Loesing a father & son team from Southern California, and Steve Swindell from The Boston area.

Our support team was made up of Ralph Lake from Texas, Dave Massen from San Francisco, Ron MacConnell from New York, Rick Mohovich from New Jersey and Tom Lennon from San Francisco.

A special thanks to Mt Baker Mountain Guides for supplying Colin and Zac two great guides and Tristan who helped carry gear to base camp and back.  And also Ovenell's Ranch in Concrete, WA our "Official" headquarters. Last but not least: Darryl Loewen from Brish Columbia who provided major logistical support and a memorable kayak adventure down the Harrison River post-climb.

This was the 14th year for these Fundrasing expeditions to raise awareness about prostate health.

Thank you to all our supporters for their encouragement and support!