Men's Health Week

Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Tobacco & Chronic Disease is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live

It's Men's Health Week
As part of Men's Health Week, which is THIS WEEK (June 11 - 15), the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease launched an effort to encourage all men to get a prostate screening.
It starts with making a pledge to have a prostate screening test before June 17, Father's Day, at  www.ProstatePledge.com .
Each year, more than 4,000 men in Arizona will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among men of all races, and is the second leading cause of cancer death.
Each year, more than 500 Arizona men will die from prostate cancer.  Many of these deaths are unnecessary, and can be prevented if men over 45 years of age get their annual screenings.
On January 13th of this year, I learned that I was one of these men. I am one of the fortunate ones, as I received my news as the result of my annual health check.  I was symptom-free, and yet was discovered to have a relatively fast-moving, potentially life-threatening cancer.  
When you take the pledge you'll be entered to win lunch a Suite at the Arizona Diamondbacks Stadium. The ultimate prize though, is of course staying on top of your health.
When you take the pledge, you will also find a list of resources and information about prostate cancer. Since many men often forego annual screenings, sometimes with tragic results, encouraging specific steps like a commitment to get a screening is important.  
With conditions like prostate cancer it is critical to be fully informed since there is an absence of medical consensus on care. It will mean taking ownership of your situation and making informed decision in partnership with your family and physician.  
For those at risk, there are often no warning symptoms, which is one reason why screening is so important.
The second reason: once diagnosed prostate cancer is treatable, especially if found in an early stage, and there are many great options, including simply watching it over time if it appears to be slow-moving and not interfering with your quality of life.
It is important to note that all men are at risk of prostate cancer, yet some factors do increase the risk. Family history plays a role, as does race and age; the data shows that prostate cancer is more common in African-American men, and in men over the age of 55.
Ultimately each man that tests positive must make a decision on the course of treatment that he and his spouse or partner feel is best suited for their specific needs and comfort level.  
As part of Men's Health Week, June 11-17; on Father's Day, June 17, our goal is to have hundreds of Arizona men who have taken the pledge. Go to prostatepledge.com
Encourage the men in your life to learn more about prostate cancer, to consult their doctor and to take the Prostate Pledge. As is the case with all areas of health, we want men to know their scores, know their options, and make informed decisions.
(Wayne Tormala, Chief, Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Tobacco & Chronic Disease)  


 Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Tobacco & Chronic Disease is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live