Presidential panel studies cancer treatment

The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center will host the President’s Cancer Panel in Los Angeles. It will conduct a series of public meetings Feb. 1 and 2 to examine the challenges of extending quality cancer care to people throughout the country.

The three-member panel, which reports to the president of the United States, is hosting seven regional meetings across the country by May to investigate the cancer-care delivery challenges faced by communities and how they’re being addressed.

The Los Angeles meetings, which will be at the USC Health Sciences Campus, Mayer Auditorium in the Keith Administration Building, 1975 Zonal Ave., will include:

A town meeting open to the public from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 1, when public comment is invited, especially from cancer survivors and their caregivers.

Hearings from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 1 and Fri., Feb. 2, when physicians, nurses, advocates and survivors from six states and the Pacific territories are scheduled to give testimony.

Free parking is available in the structure adjacent the auditorium at the corner of Zonal Avenue and Biggy Street.

Harold Freeman, M.D., chairman of the President’s Cancer Panel and an authority on the disparities in cancer outcomes among America’s minorities and under-served populations, invites public input at the Thursday evening town meeting from cancer survivors and their caregivers. They’re asked to share their experiences with the challenges of accessing cancer prevention information, screening, quality treatment that applies the latest research and supportive care.

For further details, please call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at (800) 422-6237 or visit via Internet www.pcpmeetings.org.