- Filed (End of Session)
History
Res. No. 1588
Resolution recognizing September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in New York City.
By Council Members Espinal and Ulrich
Whereas, Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among American men; and
Whereas, The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 161,360 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2017, including over 10,000 in New York; and
Whereas, Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic men, and the fourth most common cause of death from cancer among Asian/Pacific Islander men; and
Whereas, The risk of prostate cancer is 74 percent higher in blacks than in whites; and
Whereas, Different people have different symptoms for prostate cancer and some men do not have symptoms at all; and
Whereas, Prostate cancer death rates have been decreasing 3 percent per year since 1999, however, there are significant disparities in treatment, with African American and Hispanic men less likely to receive treatment compared to White men; and
Whereas, While it is a common cancer, most men with prostate cancer are older than 65 years and do not die from the disease because it usually grows slowly; and
Whereas, There are two tests that are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer; and
Whereas, The digital rectal exam (DRE) includes a doctor or nurse inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to estimate the size of the prostate and feel for lumps or other abnormalities; and
Whereas, A second screening measures the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level in blood, as levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer; and
Whereas, Currently, only a biopsy can definitively diagnose prostate cancer (a minor surgery to get small samples of prostate cells or tissues); and
Whereas, Men who are African American, over the age of 65, or who have a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk and should be aware of risk factors and symptoms; and
Whereas, Men should talk to their doctor about their risk factors and whether screening for prostate cancer is right for them; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in New York City.
CP
LS 10821
5/22/17