Why Can't Men Be More Like Women?

Article Date: 30 Apr 2010 - 18:00 PDT
 

Sports legends Vida Blue and Rosey Grier have teamed up in a new public service announcement to raise awareness for early detection of prostate cancer in men. Produced to hit the airwaves in time for the Prostate Cancer Foundation's (PCF) annual Home Run Challenge with Major League Baseball in June, the spot depicts a group of men sitting around knitting and doing needlepoint while discussing their latest prostate exam results.

"This spot delivers an important message with humor and will capture the attention of both men and their women," said Dave Perron, vice president of PCF's baseball and sports enterprises. "We know women are more proactive when it comes to managing their health and talk openly about these issues. Many men avoid these topics. They put off their annual exams and screenings. We hope this spot will spur, perhaps even challenge, many into action."

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting 1 in 6 men. In 2009, more than 192,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 27,000 men died from the disease. One new case occurs every 2.7 minutes and a man dies from prostate cancer every 19 minutes. It is estimated that there are more than 2 million American men currently living with prostate cancer.

"Every man has the right to know if he has cancer," said Jonathan W. Simons, MD, president and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. "And right now, the PSA test and an informed discussion with their doctor are the best tools men have for an early diagnosis when available treatments are most effective. We are grateful to Vida Blue and Rosey Grier for supporting this important message."

Entitled Knitting Circle, the public service announcement may be viewed on PCF's website at http://www.pcf.org/psa/friends and on YouTube.

The public service announcement was produced with partial pro bono services from Teak Digital, a full service production, post-production, motion graphics and interactive house based in San Francisco. Distribution of the spot will be provided as a public service by Horizon Media Inc., FOX Television and FOX Sports, Viacom and NBC Universal.

More information on PSA testing and prostate cancer, including symptoms and treatments, along with helpful information for families and caregivers, can be found at http://www.pcf.org.

Source
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Men's health