September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Washington, DC, September 01, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Men’s Health Network (MHN) is calling for greater awareness of health issues impacting men during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September as men in the U.S. still rank among the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world: www.menshealthnetwork.org/Library/Prostate-Cancer-Awareness-Month-2017.pdf

Prostate cancer remains the leading cancer in American men; about 2.8 million men are living with the disease with over 26,000 men dying each year. The American Cancer Society reports that about 161,000 men are expected be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. The U.S. ranks number 14 among countries with the highest incidence of prostate cancer, according to the International Agency For Research on Cancer.

“Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a crucial awareness period, reminding men and their families about the importance of prostate health and early detection,” said Ana Fadich, CHES, Vice President of MHN. “A PSA test can be a life-saving tool for early detection and by creating a benchmark against which you and your healthcare provider can measure future tests.”

MHN continues its awareness efforts during September with health screenings and partnerships, including a Twitter Chat with the Urology Care Foundation on September 29. Other social media activities will be announced as the month progresses. MHN will also continue advocating for the health and wellness of men through its work with the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus.

To further raise awareness on how prostate cancer impacts American men, MHN features new videos showing the Top 10 states ranked by prostate cancer deaths and incidence. More recently, MHN provided comments about the latest prostate cancer screening recommendations from the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF).

MHN believes that early detection through screenings like the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen test) and DRE (digital rectal exam) is the key to successful treatment, which is responsible for saving an untold number of men by encouraging them to have a discussion with their healthcare provider about prostate cancer and early detection.

“Prostate health impacts general health,” said Gregory Pecchia, MD, a MHN advisor. “Getting men to be more aware of preventive screenings like the PSA is paramount in the fighting prostate cancer and improving health outcomes.”

In preparation for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Men's Health Network (MHN) encourages men to know their risk as early detection is the best predictor of survival. MHN urges men at high risk for prostate cancer to talk with their health care provider about getting a yearly screening starting at age 40, with other men beginning at age 50. MHN also emphasizes the role that women can play by encouraging their husbands or partners to speak to their health care provider about being screened for prostate cancer, including a PSA test and a DRE.

"The various conflicting positions on prostate cancer screening are confusing for patients and doctors alike, but the fact is prostate cancer still is one the leading causes of cancer deaths in men,” said Jason Jameson, MD, an urologist at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. “September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month—I encourage men to discuss their individual risk, screening options, and prevention strategies with their doctor. Every man deserves a discussion about this regardless of age."

“Oncology Nursing Society encourages men to learn about prostate cancer screenings and talk with their healthcare providers about what screening tests are right for them,” said Lisa Kennedy Sheldon, Chief Clinical Officer at the Oncology Nursing Society. “By being aware of prostate health and following the screening guidelines, men can improve their health, and have cancers detected earlier, increasing their chances for cure and a long life.”

In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, MHN is directing inquiries to - www.ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth.com - that has free downloadable fact sheets, brochures, and posters, links to national advocacy organizations, and a social media toolkit. The site, sponsored by Genomic Health, Bayer, and Janssen, also features proclamations from the President, governors, and others.

To learn more about prostate cancer and prostate health, visit the Prostate Health Guide at www.ProstateHealthGuide.com and the Men's Health Resource Center at www.MensHealthResourceCenter.com

About Men’s Health Network

Men's Health Network (MHN) is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Learn more about MHN at www.MensHealthNetwork.org and follow them on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and Facebook at www.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork. For more information on MHN's ongoing Dialogue on Men's Health series, visit www.DialogueOnMensHealth.com