October 9, 2021: PSA Awareness Day

 

WHEREAS, almost 9,000 Michigan men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and almost 1,000 Michigan men will die from it; and,

 

WHEREAS, the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer diagnosed early at the localized stage is almost 100%, but decreases to 30% when diagnosed late at the distant stage; and,

 

WHEREAS, Black American men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, are nearly 2.0 times more likely to die from it, and are more likely to receive a distant stage prostate cancer diagnosis than white American men; and,

 

WHEREAS, a recent University of Michigan study revealed that societal factors and disproportionate access to quality health care, rather than genetic or biological factors, are associated with a higher prostate cancer mortality rate in Black men.

 

WHEREAS, the most common early screening tool for prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a simple blood test that is usually the first step in any prostate cancer diagnosis; and,

 

WHEREAS, the proportion of Detroit residents aged 18-64 reporting no access to health care within 12 months due to cost is 18.5%, compared to 11.6% of adults statewide; and

WHEREAS, educating Michigan men and their families about healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, and early detection, and providing access to free quality health care will greatly reduce health disparities and mortality rates for Michigan men; and,

WHEREAS, the MIU Men's Health Foundation has promoted men's health awareness for the past eleven years, providing free health screenings and saving the lives of many underserved Michigan men through free programs and events, including the annual FREE Men's Health Event at Ford Field on October 9, 2021, the largest free men's health event in the United States; and,

 

WHEREAS, this year, the Benjamin J. Tallerico Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) fund will pay for every PSA test administered at the event in an effort to bridge health care disparities and reduce prostate cancer deaths among Michigan men; and,

 

WHEREAS, on this day, we raise awareness of prostate cancer, provide support to those who suffer from the disease, and promote education, prevention, and treatment;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do herby proclaim October 9, 2021 as PSA Awareness Day in Michigan.