National Prostate Health Month (NPHM), also known as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, is observed every September in North America by health experts, health advocates, and individuals concerned with men's

prostate The prostate is both an Male accessory gland, accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found only in some mammals. It differs between species anatomically, ...

health and

prostate cancer Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancerous tumor worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that sur ...

. Designating a month for the issue serves the purpose of: * Increasing public awareness of the importance of prostate health and prostate cancer awareness * Providing easily accessible prostate health screenings and

prostate cancer screening Prostate cancer screening is the screening process used to detect undiagnosed prostate cancer in men without signs or symptoms. When abnormal prostate tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat and cure, but it is unclear if early ...

s * Educating about risk factors and symptoms of prostate health and prostate cancer * Advocating for further research on prostate health issues and prostate cancer

Origins

September was first designated National Prostate Health Month by the American Foundation for Urological Disease (AFUD) in 1999. AFUD is now known as the Urology Care Foundation. Originally the aims of observing NPHM were more proscribed, concentrating on making the public better informed about prostate health issues In 2001, Senate Resolution 138 sponsored by Sen.

Conrad Burns Conrad Ray Burns (January 25, 1935 – April 28, 2016) was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Montana and later was a lobbyist. He was only the second Republican popularly elected to represent Montana in the Senat ...

(R-MT) endorsed the week and affirmed that Prostate Health Month would be observed annually. In a 2003 presidential proclamation, President George W. Bush voiced his support for the month, but instead of designating the month to be for prostate health in general, specifically named the month "National

Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancerous tumor worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that sur ...

Awareness Month". September 2015 was designated National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by the

Obama Administration Barack Obama's tenure as the 44th president of the United States began with his first inauguration on January 20, 2009, and ended on January 20, 2017. A Democrat from Illinois, Obama took office following a decisive victory over Republican ...

Related observances

In 1989, a decade before the creation of National Prostate Health Month, the week of September 17 to September 24 was chosen as Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. After the creation of NPHM, September came to incorporate observances of other related health weeks.

Prostatitis Prostatitis is an umbrella term for a variety of medical conditions that incorporate bacterial and non-bacterial origin illnesses in the pelvic region. In contrast with the plain meaning of the word (which means "inflammation of the prostate"), the ...

Awareness Week is observed from September 10 to September 16 and

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate enlargement, is a noncancerous increase in size of the prostate gland. Symptoms may include frequent urination, trouble starting to urinate, weak stream, inability to urinate, or loss o ...

(BPH) Awareness Week is observed from September 24 to September 30. However, not all men's health issues are commemorated in September.

Testicular Cancer Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system. Symptoms may include a lump in the testicle, or swelling or pain in the scrotum. Treatment may result in infertility. Risk factors include an u ...

Awareness Week, for example, is celebrated during the week of April 1 to April 7. * 9/10 – 9/16: Prostatitis Week * 9/17 – 9/24: Prostate Cancer Week * 9/24 – 9/30: Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Week * 4/1 – 4/7: Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

Events

Oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''ó ...

funds, health systems, medical centers and NGOs, such as

Men's Health Network Men's Health Network (MHN) is a non-profit international educational organization of health care professionals and interested individuals that focuses on improving male health and wellness. MHN has since been classified as a tax-exempt entity unde ...

, are just a few of the US organizations that sponsor events during National Prostate Health Month. Free screenings for prostate-related diseases are offered at hospitals, health centers, and the workplace. Physicians are sent information on how NPHW can be used as a way to remind their patients about prostate health. The Prostate Cancer Education Council uses the popularity of sports to spread awareness of prostate health effects and resources. For example, NFL teams dedicate home games to prostate cancer awareness, and golf tournaments and 5k races distribute informational material to audiences and participants in exchange for the incentive of prizes.

References

PCaAware , National Prostate Cancer Awareness Foundation

Sources

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External links

Urology Care Foundation

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Men's Health Network

Prostate Health Guide
{{US Observances Prostate cancer September observances Cancer awareness Month-long observances Observances in the United States Health observances Public awareness campaigns Awareness months Health in the United States Men's health