National Health Council — Voluntary Health Agency Guide

Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network

Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network is a 501-c-3 nonprofit, grassroots organization started in 1990 by prostate cancer survivors for prostate cancer patients, survivors, their spouses/partners and families. Us TOO, through its more than 325 chapters throughout the United States and internationally, helps men and their families learn more about prostate cancer so they can make better decisions on treatment options and cope with emotional and quality of life issues following treatment. Us TOO and its chapters reach more than 50,000 men per month through discussion groups, lectures, publications and presentations by medical professionals.

In September 2003, Us TOO was awarded a cooperative agreement grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a minority and underserved populations program for prostate cancer awareness and early detection. The annual grant is renewable for up to 5 years. Approval for Year 2 funding has been received, which includes community awareness volunteer training in the following states and territories: Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, South Dakota, Alabama, Arizona and the District of Columbia.

About the condition(s):

More than 232,090 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the U.S. this year, and more than 30,350 will die of the disease. It strikes as many men (and causes almost as many deaths annually) as breast cancer does in women, but lacks the national awareness and research funding breast cancer currently receives. Approximately one in every six men will be afflicted with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent survivable if detected early. Because early prostate cancer is seldom signaled by any symptoms, detection is extremely difficult without testing. Annual testing (PSA blood test and DRE) is recommended by Us TOO for all men 45+ years old (and men at greater risk beginning at 40). African-American men have incidence and mortality rates as much as 50 percent higher than other racial or ethnic groups.