Participate in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

BOSTON – With the start of Prostate Awareness month in September, Representative Jennifer Benson urged men in the 37th Middlesex District today to talk to their doctors about available options in prostate cancer screenings, diagnosis, and treatment

Prostate cancer, a central issue in men’s health, is the most common malignancy in Massachusetts and strikes one in seven men statewide. Although prostate cancer is curable when detected early, over 600 Massachusetts men will die this year from the disease. It is more common and lethal than even breast cancer, particularly in the African American community.

“As prostate cancer is curable, if detected early, I encourage all males in the 37th Middlesex and beyond to take advantage of this reminder and discuss screenings with their doctors,” stated Representative Benson (D-Lunenburg). “I want to thank AdMeTech for their commitment to raising awareness of prostate cancer, and continuing to host an annual Prostate Cancer Awareness day on the Hill.”

Men age 50 to 69 are encouraged to discuss screening options with a doctor, and should have routine screenings every two years. High-risk men age 40 and over should be provided with the same screening education and options as men age 50 to 69. Risk factors include African American ancestry and family history of prostate cancer.

The prostate cancer crisis is not limited to preventable deaths. For every life lost this year alone, at least three men will have unnecessary treatment and over 30 men will have unnecessary biopsies, which cause complications and inflate health care costs.

Committed to ending the prostate cancer crisis, AdMeTech Foundation of Boston established the Manogram® Project for the development and implementation of diagnostic tools for early detection and treatment akin to life-saving mammograms.