The Morning Blend
Welcome
Complete Media Kit
SIERRA VISTA — Men throughout Cochise County are being reminded about prostate health.
This month, the UsTOO International Sierra Vista Chapter, a prostate cancer support group serving Cochise County, launched an awareness campaign to remind men of the importance of early detection when it comes to surviving prostate cancer.
Restaurants, bars, health clubs, movie theaters, health care centers, churches and workplace restrooms are displaying a laminated message in men’s restrooms, listing the seven warning signs of prostate cancer. The signs, provided to the different establishments free of charge by UsTOO, are funded by members of the support group.
“We’re placing our signs in establishments with heavy traffic,” said George Mirich, who is a prostate cancer survivor and the local UsTOO chapter leader. “Response has been overwhelming. The signs have been extremely well-received by the community.”
 Hoping to convince men to get screened for prostate cancer, George Mirich of the local UsTOO International chapter places an informational poster in the men’s bathroom at a West End business. (Ted Morris-Herald/Review) |
While the immediate goal is to scatter 300 signs throughout the county, Mirich said the project will be ongoing, long after the first 300 are posted.
“So far, we’ve posted 80 of them,” Mirich said. “We’ve hit Sierra Vista, Bisbee and Benson, so we still have a ways to go. After we reach our 300 goal, we’re going to change the warning and distribute signs for women, too.”
The women’s message will urge ladies to remind their partners to get prostate exams and will include the list of prostate cancer warning signs.
Mirich recommends annual prostate exams for men 45 and older.
“September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, so we launched our awareness campaign to go along with the national program,” he said.
The local UsTOO chapter has about 80 members, all prostate cancer survivors. There are 350 chapters worldwide. Founded in 1990, Sierra Vista’s support group was organized in 1992 by Dr. John B. Sawyer, a now-retired urologist who lives in Tucson.
Willie Cotton is one of the group’s founding mem- bers.
He shouldered the role of chapter leader for 16 years until Mirich stepped in as the group’s new leader.
UsTOO’s meetings are 7:30 a.m. on the last Friday of every month at Sun Canyon Inn, 260 N. Garden Ave., in the hotel’s conference room. Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m., followed by an informative program with a keynote speaker. Guests are welcome. It’s not necessary to be a prostate cancer survivor to join the support group or attend the meetings.
Mirich is available as a presenter for different civic organizations, church groups and businesses, where he discusses prostate health and answers questions.
He will be speaking at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Wellness Depot, located in the Mall at Sierra Vista, on Friday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
For information about the local UsTOO support group, call the chapter leader, George Mirich, at 803-1409 or long-time UsTOO member, Willie Cotton, at 459-2392. Mirich’s e-mail address is george.mirich@gmail.com.
Did you know?
• The incidence of prostate cancer is 60 percent higher in African-American men. While it’s recommended to start getting annual screenings at 45, African-American men and all those with a family history of prostate cancer are urged to start annual screenings at 40 years of age, as an extra precaution.
• The National Institute of Health predicts approximately 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer and 28,660 deaths in the United States in 2008.
• Early detection of prostate cancer is critical to successful treatment. Most cases are detected through a blood test called an elevated prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test, along with a digital rectal exam. If doctors are concerned by the results of the two tests, an ultrasound and biopsies could be performed, as well.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
The following seven symptoms of prostate cancer and subsequent message appear on signs UsTOO is posting in men’s restrooms throughout Cochise County.
Do you have one or more of the following symptoms?
• Frequent urinating, especially at night?
• Weak or interrupted urine flow?
• Pain or burning while urinating?
• Inability to urinate?
• Constant pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thigh?
• Blood in the urine?
If you have one or more of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, but why take a chance? See your doctor. This message is for information only. Always see your doctor for medical advice.
Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
Widow wrote on Sep 12, 2008 8:12 AM: