Men Silent About Cancer

Men Silent About Cancer Until Women Step In

Men may not listen to women when it comes to directions, but a new national survey shows that they are likely to listen when it comes to their own health.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation/Gillette Men's Health Survey, released just before Father's Day by the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Gillette Prostate Cancer Challenge and conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide, shows the critical role women can play to help increase men's awareness of prostate cancer and other major threats to their health. Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of men said they would be very likely to talk to their doctors about prostate cancer as a result of the urging of the women in their lives, the survey finds. Yet, only half of women (51 percent) believe they have that kind of influence.

"Women don't realize how much influence they have with their husbands on matters of health," said Leslie D. Michelson, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. "Daughters, wives and partners may be our secret weapons to get men to talk with their doctors about prostate cancer."

Dr. Mary-Ellen Taplin of the Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute agreed. "Many men are uncomfortable with the subject, but the one simple thing men need to do is talk with their doctors about prostate cancer," she said.

One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common non-skin cancer in America and one of the greatest threats to men's health. Most men in the survey (73 percent) say they are concerned about the threat, yet the survey identifies important gaps in men's knowledge of prostate cancer, even in those who are at increased risk for the disease.

Almost one in three men (30 percent) above the age of 50 – the age at which the risk begins to increase rapidly—is mistakenly waiting for symptoms to develop.  However, most men experience no symptoms at all in early stages of the disease, when more treatment options are available.

"We're in a race against time," Michelson said. "Baby boomer men are rapidly moving into the target zone for prostate cancer, and both men and women need to appreciate the significance of this disease. Women can show they care for husbands and dads by urging them to have a conversation with their doctors. This new survey suggests that most men will listen."

The Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Gillette Prostate Cancer Challenge have produced an online Introduction to Prostate Cancer Kit with "Conversation Tips" to help women and men get simple advice about how to talk about prostate cancer. Go to www.menshealthsurvey.info for more information and to download the free kit which includes a general overview of prostate cancer.

Information provided by The Prostate Cancer Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research.

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