Henry Schein And LUGPA Encourage Families To Put Dad On Their Back To School List For Prostate Check-Ups

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein Cares, the global corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc., and the Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA) have partnered again this year to raise awareness among families across the country about the importance of putting prostate cancer check-ups on the calendar for the men in their lives.  September is back-to-school time for the kids of many families, but it's also National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  In recognition, Henry Schein and LUGPA have re-launched an educational campaign to increase public awareness about the importance of early detection of prostate cancer in saving men's lives, urging families to put a prostate cancer check-up for dad on the back-to-school list.

"One out of seven American men will have prostate cancer in their lifetime.  We want to remind families that this disease can nearly always be cured with early detection," said Dr. Deepak A. Kapoor, Chairman and CEO of Integrated Medical Professionals, Clinical Associate Professor of Urology, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Immediate Past President of LUGPA.  "Take this opportunity to remind your loved ones – brothers, uncles, husbands, fathers or even grandfathers – that they should speak with their doctor to determine if prostate screening is right for them.  By working together, we can help ensure that this and future generations of men will get to see their children grow up and go back to school each year."

According to the American Cancer Society, about 233,000 new cases of prostate cancer, the most common non-skin cancer for men in America, will be diagnosed in 2014.  Additionally, African-American men, those with a family history of prostate cancer or a higher baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in their 40's are at increased risk for prostate cancer.  Since the 1990s, prostate cancer mortality has decreased by nearly 40% in the United States, when PSA testing was adopted by professional urological and oncological societies.

The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the largest randomized prostate cancer screening trial in the world, released updated results that demonstrated a significant survival advantage with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for men from 50 to 74 years of age. The study found a prostate cancer mortality reduction of 20% in men who started PSA screening after age 60, and, even more crucial, men who started to screen before age 60 had a mortality reduction of 50%.  "This update offers significant data to support the importance and effectiveness of PSA-based early detection efforts to reduce deaths from prostate cancer," said Dr. Kapoor.

There are no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer, when the disease is most treatable and the side-effects of treatment the least debilitating on physical and psychological health, according to Dr. Kapoor.  "Despite improvement in patient education and awareness, many men avoid regular prostate check-ups, whether owing to reluctance to undergo screening for a sensitive medical issue or the perceived risk," said Dr. Kapoor.  "When the disease is caught early, though, the 10-year survival is nearly 100 percent."

For this year's prostate cancer education campaign, Henry Schein and LUGPA will be employing a series of communication efforts to heighten awareness among practitioners and the public about the importance of early detection in the fight against prostate cancer.  Tactics include the distribution of educational materials to practitioners, as well as public service announcements. 

About LUGPA
LUGPA represents urology group practices in the United States, with more than 2,000 physicians who make up more than 20 percent of the nation's practicing urologists. LUGPA and its member practices are committed to best practices, research, data collection and benchmarking to promote quality clinical outcomes.  For more information, visit www.lugpa.org.

About Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world.  Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.  Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good."  Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success.

About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.  A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs more than 17,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 800,000 customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care.  Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items.  The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 27 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $9.6 billion in 2013, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.

SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.