In 1994, Congress established National Men's Health Week, the week leading up to and including Father's Day. While Men's Health Week was an important first step, there is still much to be done to improve the health of American men. The life expectancy gap between men and women has increased from one year in 1920 to six years in 1998. This year, almost 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and almost 32,000 of these men will die. Life expectancy has been longer for women than men for several decades.
Statistics show that increased research, prevention and awareness are key to improving health.
As a prostate cancer survivor, I know first hand the importance of annual examinations and early detection. This office will be important in coordinating prostate cancer detection and education, in the promotion of health behaviors and disease prevention, in improved public information about men's health and in better informed health care professionals.