Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. This is an appropriate time for us to learn about the impacts of this disease, the value of early detection and available treatment options.
The statistics associated with prostate cancer are truly sobering: it is the second most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men. In 2004 prostate cancer will be diagnosed in about 200,000 American men and more than 31,000 men are expected to die from the disease. On average - a husband, father, son, brother, grandfather or friend dies from prostate cancer every 17 minutes of every day.
Since early diagnosis of cancer or other prostate disease greatly increases the chances of a cure, it is very important that men discuss the various screening tests and detection procedures with their physicians. Unfortunately, in its earliest stages prostate cancer may not cause recognizable symptoms, so routine examinations to detect cancer early are important. Although screening guidelines may vary, most physicians agree that men over age 50, or men over age 40 who are African-American or have a family history of the disease, should be screened for prostate cancer annually.
All men should understand that early detection and early treatment of this insidious disease can help preserve your lifestyle and save your life. To learn more about prostate cancer, I encourage you to contact a healthcare professional. You may also want to review Internet sites, such as the one maintained by the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/cri_2x.asp?sitearea=lrn&dt=36. It contains a wealth of useful information about prostate health, available tests, treatment options and nutritional advice.
Please take time to consider the importance of learning more about prostrate cancer for yourself, or your loved ones. You are too important not to take time to learn and act upon the information about this disease.