Nearly 180,000 Americans, mostly men over 50, are expected to develop prostate cancer this year. In the same period 37,000 men are expected to die of the disease. Most of those men could have been saved by a simple, annual screening exam that takes just a few minutes.

The 10th annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Week will begin Monday, September 20th through Friday the 24th.

Sponsored by the Prostate Cancer Education Council, based in Golden, Colo., the event will feature free or low-cost prostate cancer screenings at hundreds of sites across the country.

"It is one of the tragic ironies of modern medicine that the second leading cause of cancer death among men is also the most easily detected, and easily cured if detected early," laments Dr. E. David Crawford, noted urologist, surgeon and chairman of the Prostate Cancer Education Council. "Through education, as well as free and low-cost screenings, it's our goal to put an end to this tragedy."

Physicians urge all men age 50 and over to have an annual prostate examination. Those with family histories of prostate cancer or members of other high-risk groups are encouraged to begin annual screenings at age 40.

For the locations of local screening sites during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week the public may call the national toll-free information number at (888) 755-7229. Those interested are urged to call early and make an appointment to ensure their free or low-cost screening..

Copyright 1999 Health Resources Publishing