Men Team Up To Combat Cancer (NAPSA)—Men should take an active role in protecting their prostate health. That’s the suggestion from soccer star Marcelo Balboa. The son of a professional player and coach, soccer runs in his family—but so does prostate cancer. That’s why he urges men to take charge of their prostate health. In 2008, an estimated 186,230 men in the United States learned they had prostate cancer, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. Fortunately, prostate cancer may beeffectively treated whendetected early. Says Balboa, “I felt it was important to join Prostate Conditions Education Council and sanofi-aventis for the Team Up Against Prostate Cancer campaign because I want to encourage menover 50 or those, like me, who have a family history of prostate cancer, to talk to their doctor about their prostate health and screening options.” Just as every player on the soccer field is vital in the game, so, too, is having a urologist along with radiation and medical oncologists on your team if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Teamwork is as important in prostate cancer care as it is on the soccer field. When treating prostate cancer patients, I consult with a urologist as well as a radiation oncologist as part of a multidisciplinary team,” says Dr. Jorge A. Garcia, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. “Together, we explore the available options— including surgery, radiation, hor- Soccer Hall of Famer Marcelo Balboa encourages men to “Team Up Against Prostate Cancer.” monal therapy and chemotherapy—to determine the best course of treatmentfor our patient.” To help, Prostate Conditions Education Council and sanofiaventis created the “Team Up Against Prostate Cancer Playbook” to coach men on how to help protect their prostate health, recognize the signs of prostate cancer and how to draft a multidisciplinary treatment team, if diagnosed. Available in English and Spanish, the Playbook can be downloaded at www.prostate conditions.org or obtained by calling the toll-free number, (866) 321-3114.
