Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate, and is the most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, more than 164,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 29,000 may die from it; and

WHEREAS, one in every nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer; and

WHEREAS, prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry than in white men; and

WHEREAS, African-American men are also more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men; and

WHEREAS, men with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk for developing this disease; and

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is usually treatable if detected early, and can be often found before symptoms start by testing the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man’s blood; and

WHEREAS, men who have prostate cancer and are educated about the value of early detection will be more likely to have the cancer detected when it is treatable; and

WHEREAS, additional focus is needed on the personal and social burdens of prostate cancer, to anticipate the needs and provide support to the patient, his family and other caregivers; and

WHEREAS, raising awareness of prostate cancer, understanding the increased risks for developing it, and informing individuals of recent medical advances that may extend the time a patient lives are important to improve patient outcomes; and

WHEREAS, individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer can speak with their physician and other health care providers to learn more about the disease, and find support groups and services in their community; and

WHEREAS, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month encourages men to discuss prostate cancer with their healthcare providers;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize September 2018 as PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.