ZERO Celebrates National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

ZERO – THE PROJECT TO END PROSTATE CANCER HOSTS SUMMIT, RACES AND FREE TESTING

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and although strides have been made in the fight against prostate cancer, it remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Through initiatives such as the Summit to End Prostate Cancer, the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge, and the Drive Against Prostate Cancer, ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer raises awareness and funds that are critical to fight this disease that affects so many men and their families.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110225/ZEROLOGO )

"More than 240,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone," said Skip Lockwood, CEO of ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer. "Breast cancer affects one in every eight women – with prostate cancer its one in every six men. Yet, there are significantly more federal dollars, more attention, and more support for breast cancer research. Prostate cancer needs to be just as much of a national public health priority."

Research has shown that men with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop prostate cancer. The biggest risk factor is age along with a family history of the disease.  Men with a father or brother who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer have more than twice the risk of being diagnosed. Race is also a risk factor. Rates of prostate cancer in the United States are 60 percent higher among African American men, and the mortality rate is two-and-a half times that of Caucasian men.

Early detection and treatment are the key factors in addressing prostate cancer. Testing for prostate cancer consists of a simple blood test and brief physical examination, which takes less than ten minutes, but could save a man's life.

Join ZERO in celebrating Prostate Cancer Awareness Month:

• Lace up your sneakers and join one of our many Great Prostate Cancer Challenge (GPCC) and DASH FOR DAD races and walks happening in cities across the nation. GPCC is America's premier men's health event series, taking place in 27 cities in 2011. Funds raised from GPCC go directly to prostate cancer research, education, and free testing.  www.greatprostatecancerchallenge.com

• The Summit to End Prostate Cancer will bring together prostate cancer researchers, survivors, advocates and lawmakers in our nation's capital for the premier legislative conference focused on issues facing prostate cancer patients, survivors and their families. www.zerocancer.org/get-involved/summit/

• The Drive Against Prostate Cancer, the only nationwide mobile prostate cancer-testing program, will be visiting many cities across the country offering FREE prostate cancer testing. www.zerocancer.org/events/free-testing/

For prostate cancer information and resources, and more information about ZERO's initiatives, visit www.zerocancer.org.

About ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer (www.zerocancer.org)
As ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer, we commit ourselves not only to reduce prostate cancer or alleviate the pain from the disease but to end it. We see a future where all men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer will be cured or manage their illness with good quality of life, with the support they need to minimize physical and emotional suffering and to cope effectively throughout their cancer journeys.

To accomplish our goal, we increase research funds from the federal government to find new treatments and we fund local grants to end prostate cancer through our national event series, the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge. We conduct free testing through the Drive Against Prostate Cancer mobile testing program and educate patients, families and those at-risk.

SOURCE ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer