LINTHICUM, Md., Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With September marking the kickoff of the pro-football season and National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Urology Care Foundation, the official foundation of the American Urological Association, and the National Football League (NFL) have teamed up for a fifth straight season to educate men about prostate health and encourage them to join the Know Your Stats^® campaign.

The Know Your Stats^® campaign is a rallying force to connect, educate and inspire men across the country to know their prostate cancer risk and to talk to their doctor about whether prostate cancer testing is right for them.

Mike Haynes, former defensive back and Pro Football Hall of Fame member, is continuing as the official campaign spokesperson and travels the country with other NFL "Team Haynes" ambassadors driving the message of prostate health awareness and raising funds for prostate cancer research.

"Prostate cancer was the last thing on my mind when I took part in the Hall of Fame health event nearly five years ago. It took a prostate cancer diagnosis to make me aware of just how vulnerable I was to this disease," explained Mike Haynes. "As a cancer survivor, I'm able to educate others about this deadly disease and to bring this national men's health issue to the forefront of our everyday conversations – the stakes are just too high for us not to be talking about prostate cancer and finding a cure."

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the United States and more than 230,000 will be diagnosed in 2013. Although one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, the odds increase to:

• One in five if they are African American
• One in three if they have a family history

"If you are at a football game, or any other sporting event, look down at any random row of fans. One in six men sitting there will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, one in five if he is African-American," said Haynes.

To date, Know Your Stats^® has reached more than 100,000 men locally through physician-led community education events at 300+ hospitals and medical practices nationwide.

"We are extremely proud of our ongoing relationship with the NFL to raise awareness about a critical health issue that takes the life of more than 28,000 men each year," said Mike Sheppard, Executive Director of the Urology Care Foundation. "Through the NFL, Mike and his Team Haynes members, the powerful message of Know Your Risk. Talk to Your Doctor will reach men everywhere," he added.

To kick off season five of Know Your Stats^®, Mike Haynes joined other former NFL players Harry Carson and Cris Carter and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to film a public service announcement urging men to know their risk and talk to their doctor, which will debut this fall in select markets. As in years past, the Know Your Stats^® campaign also features educational events where men can learn more about their risk for prostate cancer.

The Urology Care Foundation and the NFL have built upon a relationship that started in 2007 when the NFL, through its Player Care Foundation, began implementing prostate cancer screenings for retired players conducted by the Urology Care Foundation. Today, they continue to encourage all men and their loved ones to visit www.KnowYourStats.org for information about prostate cancer.

What You Should Know, or Share with the Men in Your Life, About Prostate Cancer:

• More than 230,000 men will be told they have prostate cancer this year. It is the second most common cancer in men in the United States.
• Aside from age, risk factors for prostate cancer include family history and race.
  • One in six men will develop prostate cancer.
  • One in five African American men will develop prostate cancer.
  • One in three men with a family history will develop prostate cancer.
• If you are age 55 to 69, Talk to Your Doctor about prostate screening.
• Know Your Risk. Some men are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Talk to your Doctor about prostate cancer screening if you are age 40 to 54 years and:
  • ­are African-American
  • ­have a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer
• There are many treatment options for prostate cancer, and individuals should talk with their doctor about what treatment is right for them. 
• Don't sit on the sidelines visit www.KnowYourStats.org to learn more about prostate cancer and your risk for this disease.
• To learn more about the NFL's commitment to player health, visit www.nflevolution.com.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the United States, and is a leading cause of cancer death in men. One in six men will be diagnosed in his lifetime. African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer have a higher chance of getting the disease. The AUA recognizes the choice to be screened for prostate cancer is a personal one. Before you decide to be tested, talk to your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer, including your personal and family history. Then talk about the benefits and risks of testing.

About the Team

Former players, coaches and their families have joined Team Haynes to help promote prostate cancer awareness, including: Al Smith (Houston Oilers), Andre Tippett (New England Patriots), Anthony Munoz (Cincinnati Bengals), Bart Oates (New York Giants),  Bob Lilly (Dallas Cowboys), Bobby Mitchell (Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins), Carl Eller (Seattle Seahawks), Charlie Sanders (Detroit Lions),  Cris Carter (Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins), Dan Hampton (Chicago Bears), Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins), Dan Pastorini (Philadelphia Eagles), Dave Casper (Minnesota Vikings), Elvin Bethea (Houston Oilers), Eric Dickerson (Los Angeles Rams), Fred Biletnikoff (Oakland Raiders), Frank Gifford (New York Giants), Fred Dean (San Francisco 49ers), Gary Zimmerman (Denver Broncos), Gerald McNeil (Houston Oilers), Jerry Allen (Washington Redskins), Harry and Mabel Carson (New York Giants), Jack Ham (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles Rams), Jackie Smith (Dallas Cowboys), James Lofton (Green Bay Packers), Jan Stenerud (Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings), Jim Brown (Cleveland Browns), Jim Taylor (Green Bay Packers), Joe DeLamielleure (Cleveland Browns), Joe Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers), John Madden (Oakland Raiders), Kellen Winslow (San Diego Chargers), Larry Little (Miami Dolphins), Lee Roy Selmon (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Len Dawson (Kansas City Chiefs), Lenny Moore (Baltimore Colts), Lynn Swann (Pittsburgh Steelers), Marcus Allen (Los Angeles Raiders),  Marv Levy (Buffalo Bills), Melvin Blount (Pittsburgh Steelers), Merle Wilcox (wife of Dave Wilcox, San Francisco 49ers), Michael Blair (Cincinnati Bengals), Michael Irvin (Dallas Cowboys), Mike Dumas (San Diego Chargers), Mike Haynes (New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders), Ozzie Newsome (Cleveland Browns), Paul Warfield (Miami Dolphins), Pollie Shaw (wife of Billy Shaw, Buffalo Bills), Randall McDaniel (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), Ricardo McDonald (Chicago Bears), Rod Woodson (Pittsburgh Steelers), Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys), Ron Mix (San Diego Chargers), Ron Yary (Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams), Ronnie Lott (San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets), Steve Young (San Francisco 49ers), Ted Cottrell (Atlanta Falcons), Thomas L. Jackson (Denver Broncos), Tom Nowatzke (Baltimore Colts), Tony Dorsett (Dallas Cowboys), Vince Papale (Philadelphia Eagles), Warren Moon (Houston Oilers), Willie Brown (Oakland Raiders), Willie Lanier (Kansas City Chiefs), and Yale Lary (Detroit Lions).

About the Urology Care Foundation

The Urology Care Foundation is committed to advancing urology research and education. We work with researchers, health care professionals, patients, and caregivers to improve patients' lives. The Urology Care Foundation is the official foundation of the American Urological Association (AUA).

About the AUA

Founded in 1902, the AUA is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 20,000 members worldwide. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

Contact: Christine Frey, AUA410-999-7091, cfrey@AUAnet.org

SOURCE American Urological Association

RELATED LINKShttp://www.knowyourstats.org/