HORSHAM, Pa., April 18, 2013 - Legendary NASCAR® driver, team owner, and prostate cancer survivor Richard Petty has teamed with Janssen Biotech, Inc. on Show Your Stripes for Prostate Cancer Awareness. This new educational initiative raises awareness about advanced prostate cancer among veterans, their families, friends, and healthcare providers and provides tools to foster dialogue and action against the disease.
Prostate cancer is an important medical priority for America’s veterans. Approximately one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.[i] Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer next to skin cancer, and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among American men[ii]. Most cases of prostate cancer – nearly two-thirds of them[iii] – occur in men over the age of 65[iv], or approaching it, and nearly two-thirds of male U.S. veterans are in this age group[v].
“Racing and competing are part of who I am, but prostate cancer was a challenge I was not expecting and caught me off guard,” said Richard Petty. “As a prostate cancer survivor and advocate for veterans, I think it’s especially important to encourage veterans to talk about this disease – and seek help from loved ones. I’m proud to be a part of Show Your Stripes for Prostate Cancer Awareness because it’s helping veterans who have done so much for our country.”
Show Your Stripes for Prostate Cancer Awareness is an educational initiative sponsored by Janssen Biotech, Inc. in conjunction with the non-profit organizations Men’s Health Network (www.menshealthnetwork.org), US TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network (www.ustoo.org) and Vietnam Veterans of America (www.vva.org).
Petty, known even beyond NASCAR® circles as “The King,” is a vocal advocate for others with prostate cancer. “I’ve walked away from some close calls on the track and I’m still here after fighting cancer. My family and my team – be it my crew in the pit or my healthcare team – have always supported me and helped me get back in the race. And now I want to be part of the support network for our country’s veterans by urging them to seek support as they combat prostate cancer,” said Petty.
Show Your Stripes resources targeted to the needs of veterans are available online at www.myprostatecancerroadmap.com. In addition to a Public Service Announcement featuring Richard Petty and COL. (ret.) Artie Shelton, MD, a former U.S. Army physician and a veteran and a prostate cancer survivor, the online resources include a veteran-specific guide and information on advanced prostate cancer. Additionally, visitors to the site can take action in honor of veterans by selecting to have Janssen Biotech, Inc. make a donation on their behalf to one or more of three different advocacy organizations focused on prostate cancer and veteran support. These include Men’s Health Network, Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network, or Vietnam Veterans of America. The groups will receive a total combined donation of up to $5,000 per organization from Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Prostate Cancer Impacts Veterans
In a study of Veterans Affairs patients, prostate cancer was the most common cancer diagnosed, comprising almost a third of all cancer cases[vi].
Additionally, some studies suggest a relationship between development of certain disabling medical conditions, including prostate cancer, and exposure to Agent Orange[vii]. For example, Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange may be twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as Vietnam veterans who were not exposed to Agent Orange. They may also develop the disease at a younger age and have more aggressive disease than Vietnam veterans that were not exposed. [viii]
“As a veteran and prostate cancer survivor, I am passionate about helping other veterans become more aware about the impact of prostate cancer,” said Dr. Shelton. “There is a critical need to reach all veterans with information and resources. Show Your Stripes for Prostate Cancer and its program partners have a variety of informational resources to help navigate this important topic.”
About Program Partners
Men’s Health Network is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.
Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network is a grassroots, non-profit prostate cancer education and support network of 325 support group chapters worldwide, providing men and their families with free information, materials and peer-to-peer support so they can make informed choices on detection, treatment options and coping with ongoing survivorship.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the only national Vietnam veterans’ organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.
About My Prostate Cancer Roadmap
My Prostate Cancer Roadmap (www.MyProstateCancerRoadmap.com) offers resources and information specific to advanced prostate cancer patients and those who love them, as well as a wide range of information and features relevant to daily living with advanced prostate cancer. The resource was developed by Janssen Biotech, Inc. in partnership with the non-profit organization Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network (www.ustoo.org). Janssen Biotech, Inc. provided sponsorship funding to Us TOO International in support of the My Prostate Cancer Roadmap program and other education and support initiatives benefitting prostate cancer patients and their families.
Other Janssen education and support efforts for men at high risk include Making Awareness a Priority: Putting Prostate Cancer on the M.A.P. M.A.P. is designed to raise awareness among African-American men and their families about prostate cancer and its disproportionate impact on the African-American community.
In addition to the support and information at My Prostate Cancer Roadmap, Janssen Biotech provides disease education information related to metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer at www.tumorfuel.com.
About Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Janssen Biotech, Inc. redefines the standard of care in immunology, oncology, urology and nephrology.
Built upon a rich legacy of innovative firsts, Janssen Biotech has delivered on the promise of new treatments and ways to improve the health of individuals with serious disease. Beyond its innovative medicines, Janssen Biotech is at the forefront of developing education and public policy initiatives to ensure patients and their families, caregivers, advocates and healthcare professionals have access to the latest treatment information, support services and quality care. For more information on Janssen Biotech, Inc. or its products, visit www.janssenbiotech.com.
Janssen Biotech, Inc. is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, dedicated to addressing and solving some of the most important unmet medical needs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Driven by our commitment to patients, we work together to bring innovative ideas, products, services, and solutions to people throughout the world. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JanssenUS.
* Richard Petty was compensated for his time and travel in preparing for and participating in the Show Your Stripes for Prostate Cancer Program, and Dr. Artie Shelton was compensated for travel. Janssen Biotech, Inc. also provided sponsorship funding to Men’s Health Network, Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network, and Vietnam Veterans of America for this program.
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[i] American Cancer Society. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/index.
[ii] American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2013
[iii] U.S. Census Bureau. 2011 American Community Survey; 2011
[iv] National Cancer Institute. What you Need to Know About Prostate Cancer; 2008
[v] NHLBI, Cancer Incidence Among Patients of the U.S. Veterans Affairs Healthcare System; 2012
[vi] National Library of Medicine of the NIH, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22730846.
[vii] United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/vietnam.asp
[viii] Cancer. 2008 Nov 1;113(9):2464-70. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23695, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18666213
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