Whereas, September has been declared National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; and,

Whereas, Other than skin cancers, prostate cancer has been the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Michigan men since 1991; and,

Whereas, 8,119 men in Michigan men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003; and,

Whereas, During 2004, 967 Michigan men died from prostate cancer; and,

Whereas, African-American men in Michigan have the highest incidence of prostate cancer, one-and-a-half times that of the general population; and,

Whereas, African-American men are twice as likely as white men to die of prostate cancer; and,

Whereas, Older age, African ancestry, and a history of prostate cancer in close family members increase one’s risk of developing prostate cancer; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Cancer Consortium’s educational materials for the treatment of early stage prostate cancer, Making the Choice:  Deciding What to Do About Early State Prostate Cancer, is available free of charge to Michigan residents by calling (800)249-0314 or visiting www.prostatecancerdecision.org; and,

Whereas, Education can enable men to make informed decisions regarding prostate cancer’s early detection and treatment options; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2006, as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  I encourage all citizens to learn more about this disease, to understand risk factors for developing the disease, and to recognize the importance of informed and shared decision-making.