(Baltimore, MD, Thursday, September 17, 2020) – This year, nearly 192,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is why the American Urological Association (AUA) and Urology Care Foundation, the official Foundation of the AUA, are drawing on the month of September to increase awareness and encourage men to know their risk for developing prostate cancer.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, family history and race. About one out of every nine men in the United States will be told they have prostate cancer during their lifetime; however, the odds increase to:

• One in six if they are African American;
• One in five if they have a family history.

The AUA recommends men ages 55 to 69, talk to their health care provider about whether prostate cancer testing is right for them. Men at a “higher risk” for developing the disease, such as African-American men or men with a family history, should consider talking to a health care provider as early as 40-54 years of age about the benefits and risks of testing.

Earlier this year, the AUA, along with the Urology Care Foundation and more than 30 patient, caregiver, research and provider advocacy organizations, established the Friends of the Prostate Cancer Care Community (FoPCCC). This coalition works collaboratively with stakeholders to remove barriers to care, improve quality of life for patients living with prostate cancer and identify and address gaps in prostate cancer advocacy, awareness, education and research. This collective community strives for equity of access to the highest possible quality of care and informed decision making for men at risk for, or diagnosed with, prostate cancer.

There are more than 3.1 million men in the US living with prostate cancer.

The Urology Care Foundation is the world’s leading nonprofit urological health foundation, and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Partnering with physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, families and the public, the Foundation supports and improves urologic clinical care by funding research, developing patient education and pursuing philanthropic support. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.urologyhealth.org.