Led by Pro Football Hall of Fame player and prostate cancer survivor Mike Haynes, fans and NFL players across the country can join the team at www.KnowYourStats.org to help spread the word about prostate cancer and the importance of knowing your risk factors. The national campaign is focused on turning awareness into action by encouraging men to talk with their doctors about their risk for prostate cancer.
Now in its fourth year, the campaign is bringing the message to fans across the country, educating men and their loved ones about prostate health.
Today, Know Your Stats is joining Cartersville Medical Center to encourage men, ages 40 and older, to talk to their doctors about their urologic health and prostate cancer risk.
"Despite recent controversy over random screening for prostate cancer, it continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths," said Dr. Joel Rosenfeld, urologist on staff at Cartersville Medical Center. "The American Urological Association still recommends screening, especially in high risk groups such as African Americans and patients with a positive family history."
NFL great Haynes is one of the many men who has benefitted from early detection due to prostate cancer testing. Before his diagnosis in 2008, prostate cancer was the last thing on his mind.
"I was shocked to learn that one in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, and that African-American men are at a higher risk for developing prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die from the disease,"* said Haynes. "I'm pleased that we can be part of the Cartersville/Bartow County, Georgia effort to urge men to get off the sidelines, take charge of their health and stay in the game for life."
In 2007, the AUA Foundation joined forces with the NFL Player Care Foundation, an organization focused on the health issues of retired players, to educate retired players about their prostate cancer risk. The NFL Player Care Foundation was created to address health and quality of life issues encountered by retired players.
Because prostate cancer is most treatable when caught and managed early, the AUA recommends that men 40 and older talk with their doctors about prostate cancer and their risks. Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer should know that not all prostate cancers require treatment, and that not every treatment is perfect for every man. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about what your treatment options are and which one may be best for you.
What You Should Know, or Share with the Men in Your Life, About Prostate Cancer:
§ Prostate cancer defense begins at 40. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your prostate health and cancer risk.
§ Not all prostate cancers require active treatment and not all are life-threatening. The decision to proceed with active treatment is one that men should discuss in detail with their urologists.
§ Not every treatment is perfect for every man. If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
§ Know Your Stats – and don't let prostate cancer take you out of the game. Visit www.KnowYourStats.org to learn more.
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is most treatable when caught early. The American Urological Association recommends men get a baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test at age 40 and talk with their doctors to create a prostate health plan based on lifestyle and family history. PSA helps detect prostate cancer; men who are screened at age 40 establish a baseline score that can be tracked over time.
About the Team
Former players, coaches and their families have joined Team Haynes to help promote prostate cancer awareness, including: Marcus Allen (Oakland Raiders), Frank Biletnikoff (Oakland Raiders), Jim Brown (Cleveland Browns), Willie Brown (Oakland Raiders), Mabel and Harry Carson (NY Giants), Ted Cottrell (Atlanta Falcons), Len Dawson (Kansas City Chiefs), Fred Dean (San Francisco 49ers), Eric Dickerson (Los Angeles Rams), Tony Dorsett (Dallas Cowboys), Frank Gifford (New York Giants), Joe Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers), Mike Haynes (New England Patriots/Los Angeles Raiders), Thomas L. Jackson (Denver Broncos), Deacon Jones (Los Angeles Rams), Marv Levy (Buffalo Bills), Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), Bob Lilly (Dallas Cowboys), Larry Little (Miami Dolphins), James Lofton (Green Bay Packers), Ron Mix (San Diego Chargers), Anthony Munoz (Cincinnati Bengals), Ozzie Newsome (Cleveland Browns), Charlie Sanders (Detroit Lions), Pollie Shaw (wife of Billy Shaw, Buffalo Bills), Jim Taylor (Green Bay Packers), Andre Tippett (New England Patriots), Merle Wilcox (wife of Dave Wilcox, San Francisco 49ers), Rod Woodson (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles Rams) and Gary Zimmerman (Denver Broncos).
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