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"African-American men are dying at a shocking rate from
this disease," Blagojevich said. "They wait to go and see their
doctor, and by the time they do go and are diagnosed with the
disease, it is too late. The deadly trend must end. We have
distributed grant funds to 10 communities throughout the state in
order to promote prostate cancer awareness and screening to men who
may be at risk. I encourage every man to research the risk factors
associated with this disease and to go see their doctor." Prostate
cancer incidence and mortality rates among African-American men have
reached epidemic proportions. Incident rates among African-Americans
are 60 percent higher and mortality rates 140 percent higher than in
any other racial or ethnic group in our country.
Early detection increases a man's five-year survival rate to 97
percent. Some preventative measures are to adopt a healthy diet and
exercise program, reduce stress, keep alcohol consumption to
moderate levels, and reduce or stop using tobacco products.
The Illinois Department of Public Health issues grants to local
health departments and organizations through the Prostate and
Testicular Cancer Program, which began in 1999. The program will
provide close to $300,000 in grants to 10 agencies throughout the
state in fiscal 2006. The funds are used to sponsor events, to
conduct prostate cancer screenings, and to produce educational
materials focusing on uninsured and underinsured men 50 years of age
and older and men 40 and older who fall into the high-risk category.
Scientists do not know what causes prostate cancer, but men at
higher risk of the disease are those who have family history of
prostate cancer and African-American men older than 40 years of age.
"The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better the chances
of successful treatment," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public
health director. "That's why our agency is focused on making sure
men -- especially in the African-American community -- know about
the risk and how to make lifestyle changes that can prevent the
likelihood of developing the disease."
The Department of Public Health has helped fund the White Crane
Wellness Center in Cook County, which provides prostate screenings,
referrals and education for prostate and testicular cancer for
diverse populations in underserved communities. The center has
served more than 2,000 at-risk men since the program's inception.
"It has been so gratifying to be a part of a program that can
equip male participants with the requisite tools needed to
understand and detect disease at an early stage, so that they may
sustain their health for as long as possible," said Ruby Nalzaro, a
health outreach nurse at White Crane.
Since 1999, more than 3,500 men have received free health
screenings for prostate cancer, cholesterol, blood pressure,
diabetes and depression through events funded or sponsored by the
Prostate and Testicular Cancer Program. Through its grantees, the
program has used health screenings and educational efforts to reach
out to more than 15,000 males since 2000.
[to top of second column in this article] |
 The following is the list of grant
recipients for fiscal 2006:
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Chicago Department of Public Health, $40,000
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Evanston Department of Health and Human Services, $7,600
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Jackson County Health Department, $35,000
-
Livingston County Health Department, $20,000
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Macon County Health Department, $35,000
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Madison County Health Department, $30,000
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Research & Education Foundation of the Michael Reese
Hospital Medical Staff, $35,000
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Southern Seven Health District, $24,000
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White Crane Wellness Center, $38,000
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Winnebago County Health Department, $25,000
In fiscal 2006, Blagojevich has committed $1.2 million for
prostate cancer awareness initiatives, $297,000 for prostate cancer
screenings and $200,000 for prostate cancer research. Since taking
office, he has enabled the Department of Public Health to award more
than $874,000 in grants to provide prostate cancer and testicular
cancer screenings in targeted communities.
* * *
Text of the governor's proclamation:
WHEREAS, prostate
cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in men in the
United States. One in six males are at risk of developing prostate
cancer during their lifetime, and this year, approximately 9,140 men
in Illinois will learn that they have prostate cancer; and
WHEREAS, sadly,
prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men with
cancer in Illinois, and an estimated 1,230 men in Illinois will die
from prostate cancer in 2005; and
WHEREAS, it is
known that about one third of prostate cancer diagnoses occur among
men under the age of 65, and
WHEREAS,
additionally, black men in the United States are disproportionately
affected by the disease. African-Americans have the highest
incidence of prostate cancer in the world, and as a result, they are
twice as likely to die of the disease than other men; and
WHEREAS, the good
news is that awareness and early diagnosis and treatment of
prostrate cancer can reduce the risk of prostate cancer mortality:
THEREFORE, I, Rod
R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby
proclaim September 2005 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in
Illinois to raise awareness about prostate cancer, and to urge all
men, especially those over the age of 50, to speak with their
physicians about the risks and appropriate screening.
[News release from the governor's office]
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