'Get Your Gown On' Campaign Targets Prostate Cancer

Scottsdale Healthcare educates men about success of early detection, treatment options

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Get Your Gown On," a new health education campaign from the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, aims to raise awareness about the need for regular prostate cancer screenings and the success of early detection and treatment of the disease.

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The "Get Your Gown On" campaign features former Arizona State University football star, National Football League Hall of Famer and prostate cancer survivor Michael Haynes encouraging men 40 or older to have a prostate exam as part of an annual physical.

Visuals of men from a variety of occupations and hobbies wearing doctor's office exam gowns reinforce the message that men shouldn't fear getting a prostate cancer screening. Newspaper and magazine ads, radio and TV commercials and public service announcements are now running in media throughout the greater Phoenix area.

"If you're 40 or older, you better get your gown on and get a prostate exam as part of your annual physical," says Haynes. "Prostate cancer doesn't care what you do for a living or if you think you're a tough guy."

Haynes discovered he had prostate cancer following a screening exam in 2008. Now a prostate cancer survivor, he encourages men to talk with their doctors about getting tested for this deadly disease. A defensive back, he was the fifth player selected in the 1976 NFL draft and played in nine Pro Bowls during his 14-year NFL career.

"With one in every six men facing prostate cancer in their lifetime, why gamble? Screening and early detection saves lives," adds Scottsdale Healthcare urologist Bernard Gburek, M.D.

Statistics show prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. Without early diagnosis, one in 36 will die from the disease. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, behind lung cancer.  

Scottsdale Healthcare's campaign directs individuals to www.getyourgownon.org, where they can sign up for a free screening, read stories about Phoenix-area prostate cancer survivors, provide comments about prostate cancer detection and cancer treatment, and learn more about the innovative cancer treatment, research and support services available through the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.

Visitors to www.getyourgownon.org also can read about minimally invasive daVinci robot-assisted surgery, Novalis image-guided radiation therapy and clinical trials of new cancer drugs—treatment options available through the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.

Arizona's first daVinci robotic prostatectomy was performed at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center in 2002, and Scottsdale Healthcare was first in Arizona to offer Novalis as an option for noninvasive prostate cancer treatment.

Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials offers access to Phase I studies of new investigational therapies for treating prostate cancer and other cancers.

The nonprofit Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare established its leadership in personalized medicine by offering comprehensive cancer treatment, research, prevention and support services in a single location, working in collaboration with top community oncologists and scientists from leading universities and research institutions including the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center holds Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation with Commendation is awarded to top cancer programs demonstrating the highest levels of cancer clinical services, research, community outreach, quality improvement, leadership and data management, according to the Chicago-based Commission on Cancer.

"As a community-based nonprofit cancer program, Accreditation with Commendation means that our friends, families and neighbors can look to Scottsdale Healthcare for the best in cancer care close to home," said Lindsay Thomas, RN, director of oncology services. "Thousands of patients have sought hope and healing here knowing that we are doing everything in our power to defeat cancer."

The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare is located on the campus of Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, 10460 N. 92nd St. in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Free patient resources are available through Scottsdale Healthcare's Cancer Care Coordinators by calling 480-323-1255 or emailing [email protected].  

Scottsdale Healthcare (www.shc.org) is the community-based, nonprofit parent organization of the Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. A leader in medical innovation, talent and technology, Scottsdale Healthcare was founded in 1962 and is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/scottsdalehealthcare, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SHCpublicinfo or see our videos at www.youtube.com/scottsdalehealthcare.

SOURCE Scottsdale Healthcare