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Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in America.
According to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures, an estimated
218,890 new cases will be diagnosed in 2007; more than the
number of new breast cancers. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause
of cancer death in men, and it's estimated that approximately 27,000 men will
die of the disease in 2007. More alarming still, prostate cancer incidence rates are about one third higher for African American men than white men, and African American men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as whites.
The explosion in prostate cancer incidence rates, largely due to improved detection, has been the "wake-up call" for men to learn more about their bodies and their health...to participate in their health care in a very proactive and active way. Widespread disagreement and confusion in the medical community about prostate cancer screening, early detection guidelines, treatment options, side effects, and quality of life issues provided the impetus to drive men off the fence of health apathy and into a state of health consumerism.
The Man to Man Prostate Cancer Education and Support Program was originally conceived by James Mullen, a prostate cancer survivor, in 1990. Mr. Mullen felt that he did not have enough accurate information to make the important decisions facing him at the time of his diagnosis. He found that men faced with this disease had an overwhelming desire to make informed choices about their treatment and to share their collective wisdom on how to live happy, fulfilling lives despite the intrusion of a myriad of unwelcome treatment side effects. By filling the gap that existed in his own care he was able to help others find solutions to their problems.
Research conducted for the American Cancer Society by Michelson Associates
and the Gallup Organization indicated a strong need for information, education,
and support based on focus groups and telephone surveys of men and women
both touched and untouched by prostate cancer. Based on these findings, the
American Cancer Society joined forces with Jim Mullen and Man to Man to develop
a formalized program. Man to Man provides accurate, factual information to men
and their partners about prostate cancer in a supportive environment following
essential guidelines that assure program integrity and credibility. Man to Man is
an ideal vehicle by which new relationships are formed between
patients/survivors and care providers with a two-way exchange of information,
trust, and respect. The partnership of the American Cancer Society with
volunteer health professionals and survivors has proved to be an exciting
and valued service for all involved.
Revised: 4/4/07
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