Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Putting Pressure on Prostate Cancer
Driving awareness through education and support about prostate health and early detection.
September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to put pressure on prostate cancer through education, awareness, and action on two fronts. This year, our theme emphasizes the crucial role that fathers, uncles, and grandfathers play in sharing knowledge and experiences with younger generations. By fostering open conversations about prostate health, we can empower families with the information they need to make informed decisions. While urologists continue to implement new techniques with the aid of cutting-edge technology. Together, we can break the silence, spread awareness, and put pressure on prostate cancer—improving lives through education and innovation.
“Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to remind everyone - your friends, family, and the general public that most prostate cancers can be caught early with screening, which can save countless lives. Prostate cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in men, and we need to get the word out and remind our loved ones to talk to their doctors about prostate cancer screening.”
— Dr. Zeyad Schwen MD, Hillcrest Hospital, OH, USA.
*Dr. Schwen is a research and education consultant of GE HealthCare.
Listen to Dr. Schwen discuss prostate cancer and genomics on Cleveland Clinic's "Cancer Advances" podcast.
A Big Thank You
In 2024 roughly 299,010 men will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. With the exception of skin cancer that is more than any other type of cancer.1
Receiving proper health screenings, starting with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, can be lifesaving for some of these men. Research shows however that men are not receiving regular health screenings.2
When detected early, prostate cancer is highly treatable, with nearly 100% five-year survival rate for localized cases.3 Increasing awareness and making sure men are aware of just how preventable prostate cancer is; this is where our battle lies. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity for men to take charge of their health, for families to support their loved ones, and for healthcare providers to emphasize the importance of early detection. It's a time to break the silence surrounding prostate health and encourage open discussions about a topic that affects millions of men.
The resources below contain detailed information on how to provide and receive healthcare that empowers during this Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The pressure is on – push yourselves and others to stay up to date with prostate health.
At GE HealthCare we aim to support urologists on their patient care journeys. Thank you to all the surgeons and medical professionals around the world who continuously provide healthcare that empowers.
“Prostate Cancer Awareness Month provides a great opportunity to focus energy on education efforts regarding the importance of prostate cancer risk factors, screening, and early detection. If we expand public awareness about early diagnosis and management options, we can further improve the likelihood of successful prostate cancer treatments and cure.”
— Dr. Soroush Rais-Bahrami, MD, MBA, FACS.
*Dr. Rais-Bahrami is a research and education consultant of GE HealthCare.
Foundations and Non-Profits
Through trials, studies, and more, clinical research is one of the main forces helping to fight prostate cancer. With foundations and non-profits funding and supporting this research, healthcare professionals can continue to prolong and save cancer patients’ lives. Check out the links for information on urology- and prostate cancer-focused foundations and non-profits.
Urology Care Foundation
The Urology Care Foundation is committed to advancing urology research and education. They collaborate with researchers, health care professionals, patients and caregivers to improve patients’ lives.
ZERO Prostate Cancer
ZERO Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted. ZERO advances research, provides support, and creates solutions to achieve health equity to meet the most critical needs of the prostate cancer community.
Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation funds the world’s most promising research on the biology and treatment of prostate cancer, accelerating those discoveries into therapies and strategies designed to improve the quality of life and overall survival of patients.
European Association of Urology (EAU)
EAU's Prostate Cancer Guidelines Panel, consisting of an international multidisciplinary group of urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, a geriatrician and a patient representative, have prepared a guidelines document to assist medical professionals in the evidence-based management of prostate cancer.
Research and News
Ensuring we have the most current data at our fingertips is critical in the battle against prostate cancer. Each of us can help by being as up-to-date and informed through research and news. With scientific evidence as their sources, discover some prostate cancer-related data and news articles in the links.
Prostate Cancer Research Institute
The Prostate Cancer Research Institute provides resources for prostate cancer patients and caregivers looking to gain understanding, insight, and hope. Get honest answers from science-based data.
The Journal of Urology
With more than 1,200 articles about prostate cancer, The Journal of Urology brings solid coverage of the clinically relevant content needed to stay at the forefront of this disease.
Initiatives
Prostate cancer is a worldwide disease. It does not discriminate. Advocacy groups and initiatives help support a variety of patients impacted by this disease. Learn more through the resources here.
Europa Uomo
Europa Uomo is a European advocacy movement for men with prostate cancer, representing 27 national patients’ groups, aiming to prioritize better quality of life, prostate cancer screening programs, and better treatment and awareness.
IMPACT: Improving Mortality from Prostate Cancer Together
IMPACT is committed to using every facet of their organization to improve outcomes for all and reverse disparities for Black men.
Resources:
1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2024,Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2024.
2 2022 survey by the Cleveland Clinic - more than half of men surveyed answered that they do not receive regular health screenings.
3 ZERO Prostate Cancer. Early Detection Saves Lives: Screening and PSA Test: ZERO Prostate Cancer; 2024.