(ARA) - With a new diagnosis every three minutes and more than 230,000 estimated new cases expected in the United States this year alone, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer among American men. Yet despite its prevalence, prostate cancer and its associated treatment-related side effects, including incontinence, remain topics that are not often openly discussed.
The National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) has partnered with Kimberly-Clark Corporation to encourage men to learn the facts about the disease and its side effects and make prostate cancer screening a part of their annual health routine.
NPCC is the largest advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness about prostate cancer, and Kimberly-Clark is a leading consumer products company dedicated to helping people care for themselves and their families. Together, the NPCC and Kimberly-Clark encourage all men to:
* Know the facts about prostate cancer (i.e., it afflicts one in six men annually);
* Recognize the signs and symptoms associated with prostate cancer;
* Open the lines of communication with their healthcare providers;
* Share their experiences with their fathers, sons, brothers and friends;
* Get screened themselves if over 50 -- younger if African American or with a family history of the disease; and
* Get educated on what to expect from treatment and beyond.
Through community outreach programs such as the Drive Against Prostate Cancer (a mobile screening vehicle reaching 10,000 men per year), NPCC estimates that as much as 9 percent of American men have prostate cancer or other urologic conditions.
"While doctors' offices report that only about 4 percent of men exhibit signs of prostate cancer and/or other urological problems, we have found that number to be twice as high," says Jamie Bearse, NPCC's Spokesman. "We see this as an indication that local educational efforts like the Drive Against Prostate Cancer are needed to continue increasing awareness of the condition and encourage men to seek help."
More information on NPCC's Drive Against Prostate Cancer can be found at www.pcacoalition.org.
In addition, a recent survey by the NPCC revealed that men report incontinence as one of the top three treatment-related side effects on which they need additional information. Most men don't realize that they will experience loss of bladder control as a side effect to prostate cancer treatment, and most don't understand that it's usually only temporary and always manageable. Most often, bladder control will improve gradually over a period of weeks.
Effective management techniques that help improve quality of life and activity level include bladder retraining, exploring medications or surgical options, and using absorbent products such as Depend Undergarments and Guards for Men. Men should be encouraged to talk with their healthcare providers about their symptoms and appropriate management options. They can also use a new bladder health self-assessment tool, accessed online at www.Depend.com/tool, to help gauge their bladder control loss symptoms.
Through raising awareness of prostate cancer, emphasizing the importance of an annual prostate cancer screening, and encouraging an open dialogue with healthcare providers to discuss what to expect after treatment, NPCC and Kimberly-Clark believe the quality of life for those in treatment and post-treatment can be improved.
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About The Author
Courtesy of ARA Content
EDITOR'S NOTE: About the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) Taking care of the biggest thing in men's health, the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) sets the standard for rapidly reducing the burden of prostate cancer on American men and their families through awareness, outreach, and advocacy. www.pcacoalition.org.
About Kimberly-Clark (K-C) Every day, 1.3 billion people -- almost a quarter of the world's population -- trust K-C brands such as Poise, Depend, Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups and Kotex to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. For more information on K-C's adult care products please visit www.Poise.com or www.Depend.com. To access the free bladder health self-assessment tool, please go to www.Depend.com/tool.
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