[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize September as 
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the most 
diagnosed nonskin cancer in the United States and the most commonly 
diagnosed cancer in men. It is estimated that 200,000 men will be 
diagnosed with prostate cancer and 30,000 men will die from the disease 
this year. Our commitment to making awareness and early detection of 
this disease a national priority must continue.
  A simple blood test, the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, can 
detect the risk of prostate cancer. Health experts recommend that 
doctors offer men yearly screening beginning at age 50. However, men 
with high-risk factors should consider starting yearly testing earlier. 
We must remember that through screening and early detection, we truly 
can save lives.
  I am proud to add my voice to those who are working to fight prostate 
cancer, and I take this opportunity to recognize the families, 
professionals, and advocates who work day after day to be a powerful 
voice for prostate cancer patients. I commend them on their tireless 
efforts to raise awareness of the risks, to promote early detection and 
treatment, and to further our efforts to understand and eliminate this 
disease. We must all join these efforts to pursue increased funding for 
biomedical research and public health awareness campaigns, as well as 
expanded diagnosis and treatment options.
  I urge all citizens to support the search for the early detection and 
cure of prostate cancer and support those individuals and families who 
face this devastating disease.

                          ____________________