Godiva Chocolatier Employees To Benefit From On-Site Cancer Screening and Risk Assessment Provided by Fox Chase Cancer Center Through Pennsylvania Department of Health Grant

PHILADELPHIA (January 5, 2000) -- Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., Reading, Pa., is the pilot company for a comprehensive cancer risk assessment program provided by Fox Chase Cancer Center and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.� Fox Chase recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Commonwealth to implement a cancer risk profiling system.� The new program will be coordinated with Fox Chase's corporate screening program called CanPrevent: A Partnership at Work.

The three-year grant allows Fox Chase to establish experience-based, customized programs of cancer awareness and screening at the work site of six Pennsylvania corporations tailored to cancer risk profiles established from employee provided surveys.� Whenever possible, individual employees will receive all cancer education and screening programs at their place of work.

CanPrevent's on-site screening programs for breast, prostate and skin cancer are also tailored to meet the needs of each employee population.� The convenience of workplace screening often leads to greater participation and enhanced opportunity for early detection of cancer.

"The purpose of this project is to learn if employers can help reduce the burden of cancer and lower medical costs by helping employees detect cancer at its early, most curable stages," said Dr. Paul F. Engstrom, senior vice president for population studies at Fox Chase.� "This type of partnership shows the dedication that companies like Godiva have for the health and well-being of their employees."

Breast cancer screening takes place in a fully accredited mobile mammography van owned and staffed by Fox Chase Cancer Center.� Prostate cancer screening by a Fox Chase oncologist and his clinical staff includes a physical examination and a blood sample for a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test.� Screening for skin cancer, the most common of all cancers, follows guidelines by the American Academy of Dermatology.� This program provides a careful inspection of the skin and referral for follow-up if abnormalities are found.

Later this month, employees at Pepperidge Farm in Denver, Pa. and Downingtown, Pa. will be able to take advantage of this health initiative.

Fox Chase Cancer Center is one of 37 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation.� The Center's activities include basic and clinical research, prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and community outreach programs.