Nearly one in nine men, one in six African-American men, will be diagnosed with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. To raise awareness of the disease and the benefits of early screening, the NFL Alumni (NFLA), Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), LabCorp® (NYSE:LH) and Health Testing Centers are collaborating for the second year as part of the Prostate Pep Talk campaign to educate men and their loved ones, and to increase access to screenings.
Beginning in September (Prostate Cancer Awareness Month), the Prostate Pep Talk messaging will encourage men to get screened for prostate cancer. Information can be found on the campaign’s website, prostatepeptalk.com, which has educational videos and a public service announcement featuring legendary NFL head coaches Herm Edwards, Dick Vermeil and Bill Cowher.
“Cancer affects everyone,” says Coach Edwards. “It affects millions of people every year, and it goes under the radar until it affects you or someone you know. Cancer sees no color, it sees no age. Go get checked.”
From Sept. 1 through Oct. 15, as many as 1,500 men ages 40 and older may sign up to receive a free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening at nearly 2,000 LabCorp locations throughout the United States. In addition, NFLA chapters, LabCorp and Health Testing Centers are teaming with CTCA® comprehensive care and research center locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Tulsa to host community-based events to raise awareness of the importance of early detection in prostate cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) predicts there will be 164,690 new cases of prostate cancer and 29,430 deaths from the disease in 2018 and estimates one in nine men—and one in six African-American men—will be diagnosed with the cancer in their lifetime. (cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html)
According to the ACS, “prostate cancer develops mainly in older men and in African-American men” for reasons that remain unclear. ACS guidelines for screening include:
- Men age 40 with more than one first-degree relative (father, brother or son) who have or had prostate cancer at an early age (younger than 65)
- Men age 45 who are African-American and/or have a first-degree relative with prostate cancer
- Men age 50 at average risk for prostate cancer
“We believe many of our members, whether they are players or coaches, may not understand how simple it is to take these tests,” says NFL Alumni CEO Elvis Gooden. “We are encouraging them to get screened. It’s not that hard.”
“LabCorp is pleased to again join the NFLA, Health Testing Centers and Cancer Treatment Centers of America to help provide easy access to PSA screening at our nearly 2,000 locations nationwide,” adds Chief Executive Officer of LabCorp Diagnostics Gary M. Huff. “This testing can start a conversation that will help improve health and improve lives for many men.”
Sean Cavanaugh, MD, Radiation Oncology Director, CTCA Genitourinary Cancers Institute, adds, “Screening is the first defense against prostate cancer. That’s why we are proud to work with the NFLA, LabCorp and Health Testing Centers to help men understand the importance of talking to their doctors about their individual risk for prostate cancer and the screening procedures that make the most sense for them. A PSA test is just a first, but important, step for every man who meets guidelines for screening.”
Eligible men may order their free or discounted PSA screening by visiting Prostate Pep Talk or Health Testing Centers – Prostate Pep Talk. Testing will be performed by LabCorp and will be available at LabCorp’s patient service center locations across the country. After the first 1,500 free PSA screening spots are filled, eligible men can still access a discounted rate of $25 per screening throughout the sign-up period. Screenings must be performed within six months of the sign-up date.
Men who have a PSA considered outside the normal range should consult with their physician to determine next steps that best suit their needs. Elevated PSA levels do not always indicate prostate cancer. Additional tests are available to help provide men and their physicians with more information to guide treatment decisions, which could include ongoing monitoring before active treatment is initiated.
For more information, visit prostatepeptalk.com.