Every day, 46 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 12 will die from the disease.
“If Canadian men want to stop dying from prostate cancer, they have to start talking about their health and their prostates. It's as simple as that,” says Dr. Michael McBurney, member of the Carleton Unit Board, Canadian Cancer Society. “Men have to get the facts and they have to talk to their doctors.”
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer for Canadian men. This year, approximately 16,900 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 4,200 will die of the disease. This means that, on average, 46 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 12 Canadian men die every day from the disease.
“Once you're over 50, you should speak to your doctor to find out more about your prostate, prostate cancer, and early detection tests,” says Dr. McBurney. “Men over 50 should discuss the potential benefits of early detection testing using the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam, with their doctor. Men in high-risk groups, such as Afro-Canadians and those with a strong family history of prostate cancer, may wish to discuss the need for testing at a younger age. Men can also follow Canada's Guidelines to Healthy Eating”.
To support Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, the Prostate Cancer Association (Ottawa-Carleton) has planned an educational day at Carlingwood Shopping Centre on Monday, September 18. Please drop by and be informed.
Also, in October a specially written play called No Big Deal about the experiences of men with prostate cancer and their spouses will be coming to Ottawa sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society. This humour-filled performance focuses on the challenges that men face as they try to deal with illness and how the people around them are affected. No Big Deal will be performed in Ottawa on the following dates and locations. Please call a number below for exact locations and times.
Saturday, October 21 at the College of Family Physicians of Canada Conference
Saturday, October 21 at St. Stephen's Church
Monday, October 23 at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre
For more information about prostate cancer, or any type of cancer, people can call the Canadian Cancer Society's Cancer Information Service - 1-888-939-3333, the Prostate Cancer Association at 798-5555 ext. 8236 or the Carleton Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society at 723-1744. Free prostate cancer information kits are available through the CIS.