Statement on Joe Torre Prostate Cancer Announcement from Mike Lafavore, Editor-in-Chief, Men's Health Magazine

    EMMAUS, Pa., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Lafavore, Editor-in-Chief,
 Men's Health Magazine today issued the following statement regarding
 Joe Torre's prostate cancer announcement:
 
     The announcement earlier today by Joe Torre, the manager of the World
 Champion New York Yankees, that he will be treated for prostate cancer should
 be a wake up call to the millions of men in this country, especially baby
 boomers, who don't believe that this deadly disease can hit them.
     As the nationwide survey we conducted last June revealed, just barely
 half of men aged 45 - 64 have been tested for prostate cancer, and only
 slightly more than one third of men aged 50 and over have had digital rectal
 exams to detect disease, despite their effectiveness.
     In fact, only 18% of men are very concerned that they will even develop
 prostate cancer -- despite the fact that last year nearly 40,000 men died from
 prostate cancer.
     As our nation ages, diseases such as prostate cancer can no longer be
 ignored by men.  New tests such as PSA exams offer men, especially those over
 age 50, the chance to not only detect this disease in its earliest stages,
 they also give them the opportunity to live a full and productive life well
 into the 21st Century.
     Men need to know that real guys aren't afraid of being checked for
 diseases such as prostate or colon cancer.  In fact, as Mr. Torre's
 announcement points out, no matter how much success you may have achieved in
 life, the smartest step a man could take is to get regular health checks and
 tests.
     Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Torre and his family today.  We
 hope that his openness and honesty about his prostate cancer will get other
 men to step up to the plate in the battle against this disease.
 
 

SOURCE  Men's Health