Moffitt Cancer Center Builds Prostate Cancer Awareness

August 26, 2008

Tampa, FL– Prostate cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer of men in their prime. Thirty thousand men die of the disease every year. Many needlessly, since prostate cancer is the most curable cancer if it is detected in its earliest stages.

To help build awareness surrounding this disease Moffitt Cancer Center is taking part in Sneakers @ Work Day, a workplace-based event to create positive awareness of prostate cancer. September 19, co-workers across America will pay money to lace up sneakers to spread the word about screening and early detection. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Moffitt’s prostate cancer education programs.

“Men 40 and older need to be informed of their risk for prostate cancer and talk with their doctor,” says Brian Rivers, Ph.D., assistant professor of Health Outcomes and Behavior at Moffitt. “There are no early symptoms.”

Rivers is also the executive director of the Florida Prostate Cancer Network based at Moffitt.

For more information on prostate cancer visit the Moffitt Web site at www.moffitt.org.

If you are a business looking to participate in Sneakers @ Work visit the Web site at www.sneakersatwork.org.

Several local governments will issue resolutions supporting Moffitt's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month during the month of September. Community members are invited to join Moffitt supporters, patients and staff in accepting the proclamations at the following public meetings:

Lakeland City Commission

Tuesday, September 2, 9 a.m.

228 S Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland

Temple Terrace City Council

Wednesday, September 3, 6 p.m.

11250 N. 56th Street, Temple Terrace

Plant City - City Commission

Monday, September 8, 7:30 p.m.

302 W. Reynolds Street, Plant City

Polk County - Board of County Commissioners

Wednesday, September 10, 9 a.m.

330 West Church Street, Bartow

City of Tampa – Mayor’s Conference Room

Wednesday, September 10, 11:20 a.m.

306 E. Jackson Street, Tampa

Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners

Wednesday October 1, 9 a.m.

601 E. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL

About H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer. Moffitt’s sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

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