Prostate Cancer Awareness, Part II

by Adam Dougherty, MPH September 21, 2009 Comment

Football games are a time for indulgences like burgers, brats, and beer but even then we can still find ways to promote a cause for a health condition that effects one in six American men. This past Sunday, the Men’s Health Network collaborated with the Washington Redskins at their season home opener in support of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Employees and volunteers of MHN fanned across the stadium gates to distribute over 10,000 informational cards with a blue ribbon for fans to wear during the game. We were not only able to spread the word about the impact of prostate cancer, but also able to hear from survivors themselves in support of continued research and screening awareness in the population. In addition, the halftime program contained a segment on prostate health, and recognized the great efforts of organizations like the Men’s Health Network. Thanks for everyone who came out in support!

In other awareness efforts, the Democratic National Committee passed an important resolution during their annual fall meetings. The recent diagnosis and treatment of Senator Chris Dodd’s prostate cancer shows just how important early detection and timely treatment are, and has prompted the cause to rightly be a national priority.

Resolution Urging Action to Promote

Prostate Cancer Screening and Testing

WHEREAS, one in every six men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer; and,

WHEREAS, nearly 30,000 men in the United States will die of prostate cancer this year; and,

WHEREAS, nearly 200,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year; and,

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men; and,

WHEREAS, Senator Chris Dodd was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and received timely treatment because of early detection; and,

WHEREAS, the American Urology Association recommends prostate cancer screenings such as PSA’s and other diagnostic tools as part of a detection and treatment protocol;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee urges action to promote prostate cancer screening and testing

Author: Adam Dougherty, MPH (has written 12 posts)

Adam Dougherty is a first-year medical student at the University of California: Davis. He received a Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California: Santa Barbara. His interests include health policy, health reform advocacy, and preventive medicine in addition to traveling and playing guitar. Adam previously worked as the Policy Director at Insure the Uninsured Project, is active with the California Chapter of the Men’s Health Network, and is the Policy Coordinator for the Men’s Health Caucus of the American Public Health Association (APHA).