This Valentine’s Day Breast and Prostate Health Advocates Rally to Develop Partners Program

North Carolina’s population includes many couples who are looking forward to retirement and spending more time with grandchildren, or pursuing personal hobbies and interests.

This Valentine’s Day, members of the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina (PCCNC) are partnering with breast cancer advocates in an effort to protect the plans and dreams of these couples. The PCCNC Partner Program, using the theme “Do It Together: Do It for Each Other,” promotes dual education regarding breast and prostate health. The program reminds couples of the importance of taking care of each other, by making men and women aware of warning signs and the importance of early detection for both breast and prostate cancer.

The two diseases have similar risk factors, overlapping treatment pathways and comparable implications for emotional health and intimate relationships. Couples 35 and older are entering high risk age groups for both cancers. Both diseases can inflict a sometimes unmanageable financial burden on families, and in most cases, the spouse or partner becomes the patient’s caregiver. According to Mary Ellen Kuehn, PCCNC’s Acting Director and a breast cancer survivor who lost her husband to prostate cancer, “these are two highly curable diseases, provided they are detected and treated early. Both have devastating effects on families, and caregivers experience tremendous challenges. Nobody wants to lose the person they love prematurely to such painful diseases. This program seeks to get couples working together to protect themselves and their families, in order to minimize the effects of any experiences they might have with breast and prostate cancer.”

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Cumulatively, over 440,000 new cases of breast and prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year alone. Together, breast and prostate cancers account for 65% of all cancers. The five year survival rate with early detection is 100% for prostate cancer and 98% for breast cancer.

The information and opinions expressed on this web site are not an endorsement or recommendation for any medical treatment, product, service or course of action by the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina or its officers and directors. For medical, legal or other advice, please consult appropriate professionals of your choice.