Prostate Cancer Council Encourages Men's Health Practices at Screening Sites Throughout the Country

Prostate Conditions Education Council Hosts 22nd Annual Awareness Week, September 18-24; Program Prompts New International Initiative

DENVER, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among American men (1), it's important to be aware of the resources currently available to detect prostate cancer.  While experts continue to explore the benefits of prostate cancer screenings, the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) remain the safest routes to detecting the disease in its earliest stages – when it's most treatable.  

This year the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) – a national organization committed to men's health and a leader in prostate cancer screening – continues its 22-year tradition of coordinating free or low-cost screenings to encourage men to protect their health as part of its national Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW).  This year's PCAW takes place between September 18-24 with screenings available at hundreds of sites across the country.  Men can find the sites by visiting http://www.prostateconditions.org/screening-site-finder or calling 866-4PROST8.

"In many men, prostate cancer is an aggressive disease that is most successfully treated when it is detected early on," said Dr. E. David Crawford, Head of the Urologic Oncology Department at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Founder/Chairman of the PCEC.  "As the research community explores various methods to detecting the disease, I continue to encourage men to play an active role in their health by looking to those trusted sources of prostate cancer testing – the PSA and DRE."    

During PCAW, men are offered a baseline PSA blood test and a DRE administered by a trained professional.  Many screening locations also offer testing for cholesterol and testosterone, as many factors play into overall men's health awareness and a man's risk for prostate cancer.  PCEC recommends that after 35 years of age, all men should work with their doctors to determine a screening schedule that is right for them.  

Not only does PCEC encourage yearly screenings after the age of 35, but also overall health awareness to lessen the risk of prostate cancer.  Every year PCAW brings additional attention to the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer by dedicating "Six Days of Prostate Cancer" to key points for men to keep in mind as they pay attention to their health.  PCAW screening sites are also equipped with a variety of free informational materials that will help guide men in improving their overall health condition.

"PCEC is extremely proud of our commitment to improving men's health," said Wendy Poage, president of PCEC.  "Since the first PCAW in 1989, the program has helped to screen nearly 5 million men in the United States, and this number continues to grow both at home and internationally."  

PCAW's overwhelming success in the United States has not only helped to safeguard the lives of American men, but has also influenced prostate cancer detection initiatives abroad.  In fact, this year will mark the first prostate cancer screening event in Japan where free or low-cost screenings will be made available to more than 100 men at the Showa University Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.

"Japan is a country where prostate cancer incidents are on the rise, and screening rates are low.  It's critical that we recognize the importance of early detection and the role that screening can play," said Dr. Takashi Fukagai, coordinator of the prostate cancer screening at Japan's Showa University Hospital.

About Prostate Cancer Awareness Week
The Prostate Conditions Education Council organizes hundreds of free or low-cost screening sites annually for more than 125,000 men across the United States and internationally.  To date, the program has resulted in nearly 5 million screenings.  To find a PCAW screening site near you and for more information on prostate cancer, please visit http://www.prostateconditions.org/screening-site-finder or call toll free 866-4PROST8.  You can also join in the conversation by searching for the Prostate Conditions Education Council on Facebook or 4prost8health on Twitter.  

About Prostate Conditions Education Council
A national organization committed to men's health, the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) is the nation's leading resource for information on prostate health.  The PCEC is dedicated to saving lives through awareness and the education of men, the women in their lives, as well as the medical community about prostate cancer prevalence, the importance of early detection, and available treatment options, as well as other men's health issues.  The Council – comprised of a consortium of leading physicians, health educators, scientists and prostate cancer advocates – aims to conduct nation wide screenings for men and perform research that will aid in the detection and treatment of prostate conditions.  More information is available at www.prostateconditions.org.  

(1) http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/data/men.htm

SOURCE Prostate Conditions Education Council