The Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development at Clark Atlanta University and the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University have created a collaborative partnership aimed at researching prostate cancer and positive patient outcomes.

“We are excited about the possibilities of this new partnership with Clark Atlanta University,” said Dr. Jorge Cortes, director for the Georgia Cancer Center. “Finding new treatment options and tactics for tackling prostate cancer takes a team effort. It is important to find team members committed to this cause. This is what we have found at Clark Atlanta University.”

Prostate cancer is a disease that occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland that produces fluid that makes up part of the semen. According to the National Cancer Institute, the risk of the disease increases with age and African-American men can be at a greater risk of developing the disease. Estimates from the American Cancer Society (ACS) show about one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

ACS research indicates that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. The goal of this five-year partnership is to form a framework of collaboration between the clinicians at the Georgia Cancer Center and researchers at the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development to advance the understanding and education of prostate cancer. Research will include cellular biology, tissue analysis, biomarkers, detection, prevention and treatment.

“The strong collaboration and scientific exchange between the Georgia Cancer Center and the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development at Clark Atlanta University can only benefit the advancement of and breakthrough of results in the treatment and diagnosis of prostate cancer,” said Dr. Shafiq A. Khan, director of the Cancer Center at Clark Atlanta University. “Each institution brings a wealth of talent and passion for the work to be done.”