‘Early detection is crucial to treating prostate cancer’

 The importance of getting screened for prostate cancer for men aged 50 and above was highlighted yesterday when Mayor Donald G. Flores signed a proclamation designating the month of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Deputy secretary for public health administration John Tagabuel of the Department of Public Health, Jonathan Kiyoshi of the Northern Marianas College CREES program, and Jose Santos of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program joined Flores in the proclamation signing held at the mayor’s conference room and witnessed by representatives of various DPH partner agencies.

This year’s theme is “Real Men Get Their Facts! Fight Prostate Cancer.”

The proclamation states that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in men throughout the U.S., with one third of the cases occurring in men under the age of 65 during their prime work years.

In 2010, about 30,000 men lost their lives to prostate cancer. One in six men across the nation are at risk of developing prostate cancer during their lifetime.

“Research suggests that men could reduce their risk of prostate cancer mortality if they follow recommended prostate cancer screening guidelines, including examinations by a health care provider and increased awareness and use of early detection practices,” the proclamation said.

Comprehensive Cancer Control Program’s Jocelyn Songsong, in an interview, emphasized the need to increase awareness among men the importance of getting screened since not everyone knows that there is such a test for it.

“At the age of 50, they should start getting their exam. It makes a difference. Like all cancers, the earlier it’s detected, the better the success rate of treating it,” Songsong told Saipan Tribune.

Songsong noted that men should not feel embarrassed about getting screened.

“We’ve got to go past that and know that we have to take care of ourselves, even if it means having to come in and seeing the doctor,” she added.

While they encourage screening for early detection, Songsong also underscored the value of incorporating a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious food and engaging in physical activities.

Kimberly Sablan, Prostate Cancer Awareness Committee Chair, said several activities have been lined up in celebration of the month. These include health walks, educational booths, celebrity bagging, and a health forum.