Baltimore, MD, September 1, 2016 - September marks the beginning of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and the start of the 2016 pro football season. It also marks the time of year when the National Football League (NFL) and Urology Care Foundation kickoff a new season to raise prostate cancer awareness and educate men about their prostate health through the Know Your Stats About Prostate Cancer ^® campaign.

The Know Your Stats ^® campaign is a rallying force to connect, educate and inspire men across the country to know their prostate cancer risk and talk to their doctor about whether prostate cancer testing is right for them.

While the number of men dying from prostate cancer has decreased since the campaign's inception, the statistics for prostate cancer remain startling - an estimated 181,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2016 - that's one father, brother or loved one being told every three minutes that they have prostate cancer.

"When men have the right tools and facts about prostate cancer, they feel empowered to talk to their doctor and make informed decisions," said Richard A. Memo, MD, Chair of the Urology Care Foundation. "The Know Your Stats^® campaign provides those tools and encourages men to talk openly about this disease, which when caught early, has a near 100 percent cure rate."

Pro Football Hall of Fame member and campaign spokesperson, Mike Haynes travels the country with other NFL legends to drive the message of prostate health awareness while helping to raise funds for prostate cancer research. To Haynes' surprise, it was an NFL Player Care/Urology Care Foundation screening that led to the discovery he had prostate cancer. Assomeone who benefitted from early detection, he understands the importance of knowing your risk and talking to your doctor.

"You don't want to find out late in the game that you have this disease," said Haynes. "I am one of nearly three million men who can call themselves a prostate cancer survivor, which is why the more men who know my story, as well as their risk for prostate cancer, the more we can make a difference in their lives."

TheAmerican Urological Association(AUA) recommends men ages 55 to 69, with an average risk for prostate cancer, talk to their health care provider about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. For those who are age 40 to 54 and have a higher risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer, such as African-American men or those with a family history, the AUA recommends they discuss their prostate cancer screening options with their health care provider to assess the benefits and risks of testing.

The Urology Care Foundation and the NFL have built upon a relationship that started in 2007 when the NFL, through its Player Care Foundation, began implementing prostate cancer screenings for retired players conducted by the Urology Care Foundation. Today, they continue to encourage all men and their loved ones to visit KnowYourStats.orgfor information about prostate cancer.

What You Should Know About Prostate Cancer:

• Approximately 181,000 men will be told they have prostate cancer this year. It is the second most common cancer in men in the United States.
• Aside from age, risk factors for prostate cancer include family history and race.
  • One in seven men will develop prostate cancer.
  • One in five African American men will develop prostate cancer.
  • One in three men with a family history will develop prostate cancer.
• If you are age 55 to 69, Talk to Your Doctor about prostate screening.
• Know Your Risk. Some men are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Talk to your Doctor about prostate cancer screening if you are age 40 to 54 years and:
  • are African-American
  • have a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer
• The New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints understand the importance of raising prostate cancer awareness and, for a second year, have supported the Urology Care Foundation in their mission to educate men about this disease.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the United States, and is a leading cause of cancer death in men. One in seven men will be diagnosed in his lifetime. African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer have a higher chance of getting the disease. The Urology Care Foundation recognizes the choice to be screened for prostate cancer is a personal one. Before you decide to be tested, talk to your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer, including your personal and family history. Then talk about the benefits and risks of testing.

About the Team

Former players, coaches and their families have joined Team Haynes to help promote prostate cancer awareness, including: Al Smith (Houston Oilers), Andre Tippett (New England Patriots), Anthony Mu&ntilde,oz (Cincinnati Bengals), Bart Oates (New York Giants), Bob Lilly (Dallas Cowboys), Bobby Mitchell (Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins), Carl Eller (Seattle Seahawks), Charlie Sanders (Detroit Lions), Cris Carter (Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins), Dan Hampton (Chicago Bears), Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins), Dan Pastorini (Philadelphia Eagles), Dave Casper (Minnesota Vikings), Elvin Bethea (Houston Oilers), Eric Dickerson (Los Angeles Rams), Fred Biletnikoff (Oakland Raiders), Fred Dean (San Francisco 49ers), Gary Zimmerman (Denver Broncos), Gerald McNeil (Houston Oilers), Jerry Allen (Washington Redskins), Harry and Mabel Carson (New York Giants), Jack Ham (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles Rams), Jackie Smith (Dallas Cowboys), James Lofton (Green Bay Packers), Jan Stenerud (Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings), Jim Brown (Cleveland Browns), Jim Taylor (Green Bay Packers), Joe DeLamielleure (Cleveland Browns), Joe Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers), John Madden (Oakland Raiders), Kellen Winslow (San Diego Chargers), Larry Little (Miami Dolphins), Lee Roy Selmon (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Len Dawson (Kansas City Chiefs), Lenny Moore (Baltimore Colts), Lynn Swann (Pittsburgh Steelers), Marcus Allen (Los Angeles Raiders), Marv Levy (Buffalo Bills), Melvin Blount (Pittsburgh Steelers), Merle Wilcox (wife of Dave Wilcox, San Francisco 49ers), Michael Blair (Cincinnati Bengals), Michael Irvin (Dallas Cowboys), Mike Dumas (San Diego Chargers), Mike Haynes (New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders), Ozzie Newsome (Cleveland Browns), Paul Warfield (Miami Dolphins), Pollie Shaw (wife of Billy Shaw, Buffalo Bills), Randall McDaniel (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), Ricardo McDonald (Chicago Bears), Rod Woodson (Pittsburgh Steelers), Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys), Ron Mix (San Diego Chargers), Ron Yary (Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams), Ronnie Lott (San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets), Steve Young (San Francisco 49ers), Ted Cottrell (Atlanta Falcons), Thomas L. Jackson (Denver Broncos), Tom Nowatzke (Baltimore Colts), Tony Dorsett (Dallas Cowboys), Vince Papale (Philadelphia Eagles), Warren Moon (Houston Oilers), Willie Brown (Oakland Raiders), Willie Lanier (Kansas City Chiefs), and Yale Lary (Detroit Lions).

About the Urology Care Foundation

The Urology Care Foundation is the official foundation of the American Urological Association (AUA). The Urology Care Foundation is committed to advancing urology research and education. We work with researchers, health care professionals, patients, and caregivers to improve patients' lives.

About the AUA

Founded in 1902, and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 22,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

Contact:
Christine Frey, AUA
410-689-3731
cfrey@auanet.org