The mayors of Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and University Place have signed proclamations making September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in an effort to raise awareness of the disease.
Prostate cancer affects one in six men during their lifetime, with an estimated 232,000 men being diagnosed nationally in 2014, according to Tacoma Prostate Cancer Support Group. It’s expected that approximately 30,000 men will die from the disease this year, making it the second-leading cause of death for men.
When screened and diagnosed early, prostate cancer is easily treated by a variety of methods, making it a survivable disease. Most deaths are caused by late diagnosis after the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
The Tacoma Prostate Cancer Support Group initiated the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month proclamation process with 11 cities in the South Sound region.
The group conducts monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month (except December) at University Place Presbyterian Church, offering open discussion and talks by members of the medical community about prostate cancer. The meetings are open to all men and their families who have been diagnosed or just want to educate themselves about the disease. More information about the group is available from Bob Freeborn (253-228-3616) or Jack Hudspeth (253-381-8831) and at www.tpcsg.info.