NFL and AUA Foundation Kick-off Fourth Season of Know Your Stats About Prostate Cancer®

BALTIMORE, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about prostate cancer and generate support for those affected by the deadly disease. September also marks the return of one of the nation's favorite pastimes: NFL football. With the start of the football season, the American Urological Association (AUA) Foundation and the National Football League (NFL) have once again teamed up to educate men about prostate health through the "Know Your Stats" campaign. Now entering its fourth season, "Know Your Stats" has reached more than 305 million men and their families since its inception in 2009. The campaign's spokesperson, Pro Football Hall-of-Fame member Mike Haynes, is now joined by fellow legend Harry Carson to get men nationwide to know their risks, to visit www.KnowYourStats.org for more information and to talk to their doctors about prostate cancer and screening options.

Widely recognized as one of the NFL's greatest defensive backs, Mike Haynes knows a thing or two about prostate cancer. Haynes credits a joint NFL Player Care Foundation and AUA Foundation screening for detecting his prostate cancer early enough for successful treatment. As a cancer survivor, Haynes has turned his experience into a commitment to educating others about the deadly disease. Joining Haynes to spread the "Know Your Stats" message is Harry Carson, former linebacker for the New York Giants. Together, they are working toward the campaign's goal: to help fellow players, along with fans, make positive choices about their prostate health. 

"I'm proud to continue my work with the AUA Foundation and the NFL to encourage men to know their stats about prostate cancer so they can stay in the game for life," said Haynes. "Mike and I are calling on men, especially those over 40, to start the discussion with their doctors about their prostate health," added Carson. "Don't sit on the sidelines – play defense with your health," he urged.

One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime and more than 240,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012¹. African American men are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer and men with a family history are at a higher risk for developing the disease². To help combat these statistics, the AUA recommends that men aged 40 and older talk with their doctors about their prostate health.

"We're extremely pleased with our ongoing relationship with the NFL to elevate awareness of this critical health issue," said Mike Sheppard, Executive Director of the AUA Foundation. "Each year, over 25,000 men will die from prostate cancer, and hundreds of thousands will be diagnosed. This underscores just how important it is for men to take control of their prostate health, and to do it early," he added.

To kick off season four of "Know Your Stats," Mike Haynes and Harry Carson participated in more than 50 television and radio interviews to spread awareness to men nationwide. As in years past, the "Know Your Stats" campaign also features educational events where men can learn more about their risk for prostate cancer.

New for the fourth season of "Know Your Stats" is an auction initiative. NFL Auction, the official auction site of the National Football League, will feature unique sports memorabilia and experiences, proceeds of which will benefit the campaign. Sports enthusiasts can visit the "Know Your Stats" landing page, live as of yesterday, September 10, to place their bids for a piece of sports history.

The AUA Foundation and the NFL have built upon a relationship that started in 2007, when the NFL began implementing prostate cancer screenings for retired players conducted by the AUA Foundation. Together, they encourage all men and their loved ones to visit www.KnowYourStats.org for information about prostate cancer.

What You Should Know, or Share with the Men in Your Life, About Prostate Cancer:

• Prostate defense begins at 40. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your prostate health.
• Not every treatment is perfect for every man. If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
• Know Your Stats – and don't let prostate cancer take you out of the game. Visit www.KnowYourStats.org to learn more.
• To learn more about the NFL's commitment to player health, visit www.nflhealthandsafety.com.   

About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is most treatable when caught early. The AUA recommends men get a baseline PSA test at age 40 and talk with their doctors to create a prostate health plan based on lifestyle and family history. The future risk of prostate cancer is closely related to a man's PSA score, and men who are screened at age 40 establish a baseline score that can be tracked over time.

About the Team
Former players, coaches and their families have joined Team Haynes to help promote prostate cancer awareness, including: Al Smith (Houston Oilers), Andre Tippett (New England Patriots), Anthony Munoz (Cincinnati Bengals), Bart Oates (New York Giants),  Bob Lilly (Dallas Cowboys), Bobby Mitchell (Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins), Carl Eller (Seattle Seahawks), Charlie Sanders (Detroit Lions), Dan Hampton (Chicago Bears), Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins), Dan Pastorini (Philadelphia Eagles), Dave Casper (Minnesota Vikings), Deacon Jones (Los Angeles Rams), Elvin Bethea (Houston Oilers), Frank Biletnikoff (Oakland Raiders), Frank Gifford (New York Giants), Fred Dean (San Francisco 49ers), Gary Zimmerman (Denver Broncos), Gerald McNeil (Houston Oilers), Gerry Allen (Washington Redskins), Jack Ham (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles Rams), Jackie Smith (Dallas Cowboys), James Lofton (Green Bay Packers), Jan Stenerud (Minnesota Vikings), Jim Taylor (Green Bay Packers), Joe DeLamielleure (Cleveland Browns), Joe Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers), John Madden (Oakland Raiders), Kellen Winslow (San Diego Chargers), Larry Little (Miami Dolphins), Lee Roy Selmon (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Len Dawson (Kansas City Chiefs), Lenny Moore (Baltimore Colts), Lynn Swann (Pittsburgh Steelers), Mabel and Harry Carson (NY Giants), Marv Levy (Buffalo Bills), Melvin Blount (Pittsburgh Steelers), Merle Wilcox (wife of Dave Wilcox, San Francisco 49ers), Michael Blair (Cincinnati Bengals), Michael Irvin (Dallas Cowboys), Mike Dumas (San Diego Chargers), Mike Haynes (New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders), Ozzie Newsome (Cleveland Browns), Paul Warfield (Miami Dolphins), Pollie Shaw (wife of Billy Shaw, Buffalo Bills), Randall McDaniel (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), Ricardo McDonald (Chicago Bears), Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys), Ron Mix (San Diego Chargers), Ron Yary (Los Angeles Rams), Ronnie Lott (San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets), Steve Young (San Francisco 49ers), Ted Cottrell (Atlanta Falcons), Thomas L. Jackson (Denver Broncos), Tom Nowatzke (Baltimore Colts), Tony Dorsett (Dallas Cowboys), Vince Papale (Philadelphia Eagles), Warren Moon (Houston Oilers), Willie Brown (Oakland Raiders), Willie Lanier (Kansas City Chiefs), and Yale Lary (Detroit Lions).

About the AUA Foundation
The AUA Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. We partner with physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, families and the public to support and improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urological diseases through research and education. To learn more about the AUA Foundation and its campaigns visit: www.urologyhealth.org.

References

1. "What Are the Key Statistics About Prostate Cancer?" The American Cancer Society.  Available at http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-key-statistics. Accessed August 20, 2012.
2. Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2009-2010. The American Cancer Society. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/documents/document/cffaa20092010pdf.pdf.  Accessed August 20, 2012.

Contacts:

SOURCE American Urological Association Foundation