Don't Forget The Men In October's Sea Of Pink

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 28 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PDT


Pink is all the rage in October as money and awareness are raised for the most common cancer for women (other than skin cancer) during Breast Cancer Awareness month. But what about some attention for one of the most common cancers in men? Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, according to the American Cancer Society.

Men in Plano have a new way to share their concerns and raise awareness, through the Us TOO prostate cancer patient support group at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano. The group, which is the first Us TOO chapter in Plano, helps men and their families learn more about prostate cancer so they can make better decisions on treatment options. The group also provides support as men deal with quality of life issues as a survivor.

Tom Dillon was inspired to form the chapter after his own experience with prostate cancer.

"I became interested in forming such a support group for the benefit of others who would surely come after me," Dillon said. "I've also learned that the post-treatment questions are as myriad as the pre-treatment questions, so creating an ongoing chapter, such as Us TOO, for the benefit of prostate cancer patients, survivors and their family members was my goal."

Although very common, prostate cancer is also very treatable. One man in six will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one in 35 will die of the disease. Early detection, either through a digital rectal exam performed by a physician or PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, is important for successful treatment.

Mark Engleman, M.D., will speak on "Radiation Oncology: Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer," at the next meeting, Tuesday, October 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Baylor Plano, Classroom A/B. Dinner will be provided. To register or for more information, call 1-800-4 BAYLOR.

For more information about Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.

Source
Ms. Wendy D. Walker
Media Relations Director
Baylor Health

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