For Immediate Release
August 30, 2000

Contact:
Amy Weinschenk
(207) 774-5801
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
E-mail: amyw@martinspoint.com
Web Site: http://www.martinspoint.org

A groundbreaking Internet television broadcast on prostate cancer that features a Martin's Point Health Care physician will be webcast for the first time online beginning Sept. 6. The two-part health series, featuring Dr. Douglas Couper of Martin's Point in Portland, will be webcast on the HealthCare Directions website, www.healthcaredirections.net, and on www.broadcasthealthnet.com, a joint production of BroadcastAmerica and Broadcastmarketing.com.

"Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men," said Dr. Couper, an internist at Martin's Point. "Approximately 200,000 new cases are discovered each year. The majority of patients can be completely cured if the disease is detected early enough, and there are many new tests available to detect the presence of prostate cancer. So we are grateful that HealthCare Directions is presenting this topic to a global audience, and with such clarity."

Warning signs are hard to detect, so annual screenings are recommended beginning at the age of 50, Dr. Couper added.

The series is hosted by former WGME-TV 13 morning news anchor Dianna Fletcher and will also appear on a weekly Rhode Island Public Television show called "HealthCare Directions." Broadcastmarketing is a Portland-based company that enables television broadcasters to enhance their programs with interactive online technology. BroadcastAmerica, based in Portland, Maine, is the world's largest Internet broadcaster.

Liz Ferguson, the show's executive producer, said "HealthCare Directions," which has been on the air for several years and will be webcast for the first time next week, is designed to help people learn more about prevention and taking an active role in their well-being.

"Webcasting this on the Internet will only help more people learn about this kind of cancer," said Ferguson, "and we feel that is important."

Established in 1981, Martin's Point is now Maine's largest health care practice, employing 290 healthcare professionals who serve more than 44,000 patients at clinics in Portland, Windham and Brunswick, Maine and Newington, N.H. in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, radiology, cardiology, mammography and other fields.

Martin's Point has attracted widespread attention for its high-tech initiatives, including a robot to assist in dispensing prescriptions, and Patients Personal Points, a free, Internet-based service that allows patients to use their computers to communicate by a secure server with their doctors to schedule appointments, ask advice, and obtain prescription refills. Patients Personal Points recently won a national technology award from the Healthcare Innovations in Technology Systems (HITS) "Partnership in Technology" national awards program.

Headquartered in Portland at 331 Veranda St., Martin's Point accepts all major health plans and insurance, including but not limited to HealthSource, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Harvard Community Health Plan, Maine Partners, Champus, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna and NYLCare Plans.

For more information about Martin's Point Health Care, its physicians, or program offerings, visit the Martin's Point website at www.martinspoint.org.

# # #

NOTE: Wolfe News Wire is an online posting service providing news from noteworthy companies and organizations. We do not collect or share information re: visitors to our site. Members of the media and other visitors are invited and encouraged to share these news items by utilizing the "ShareThis" link or email tool above. Click the side logos to view background info and past news items from a specific company or organization. For more info, please contact Wolfe PR at info@wolfenews.com or (520) 207-9581. Thank you!