Strange News Stories

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Prostate Cancer vs.Breast Cancer – Why the Disparity in Awareness?

Recently some men have began wondering to themselves why it is that so much attention (and money) is given to breast cancer research while far less attention is paid to one of the biggest cancer threats they face – prostate cancer.

The fact is that one sees pink ribbons – the now universal symbol for breast cancer – wherever you go. Bumper stickers, mugs, even on cans of soup and cereal boxes. Since 1985 the month of October has officially been Breast Cancer Awareness Month and charities like the Susan G. Komen Foundation raise millions of dollars every year to fund breast cancer research and increase public awareness about the disease.

What color is the prostate cancer ribbon? When was the last time you saw a report on the evening news about a walk –a –thon or indeed fundraiser of any kind to further prostate cancer research? Such events are rare to say the least. Prostate cancer does officially have its own month in the US – September – but few people know that.

This is not to say that the work done to fight breast cancer is anything but the right thing to do. Over 40,000 American women still succumb to the disease annually and it is the third leading cause of death amongst women after heart disease and lung cancer. But prostate cancer affects approximately every 1 in 6 US men – 1 in 4 for African Americans. They are equally devastating diseases is  why are prostate cancer so under reported and indeed research into the disease so underfunded (the US government spends  $699 million for breast cancer research annually , compared to $390 million for prostate cancer.

Part of the blame falls on men themselves. Women have done a tremendous job of banding together and issuing a rallying cry to ensure that breast cancer remains at the forefront of medical research. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is one of the largest annual fundraising efforts in existence today, attracting participants from every age group and walk of life.

Unfortunately most men do not even like to think about health problems let alone march about them. If there is to be a greater understanding of prostate cancer and more research into the disease funded on a daily basis men must become not only more vocal but better informed themselves. They need to realize that the digital rectal exam is a necessary evil, much like the uncomfortable mammogram, and encourage other men to ensure that they undergo one annually after the age 40.

Women have elevated breast cancer awareness almost by themselves, and it is up to the men of the world to band together in a similar way and do their part to raise prostate cancer awareness.

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 2:49 pm and is filed under Breast Cancer, Cancer, Prostate Cancer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

15 Responses to “Prostate Cancer vs.Breast Cancer – Why the Disparity in Awareness?”

Rick Says:
October 25th, 2009 at 8:39 pm

Thank you for the article which brings forth a critical and offensive reason why men have lost ground in “their” fight VS women. Simple – Federal government money for Research.

Isn’t it plausible to consider this gender discrimination? At a very high level? Maybe a multi million person class action lawsuit against Federal agencies purveying the funds would be a start to getting the attention long overdue.

Anyone out there interested? Contact my email. I am not an attorny looking for fees. Just a man tired of being treated as a second class citizen and this is just one example.

Rick Says:
October 25th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

What do you mean by moderation?

Mike Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 8:28 am

The article says men should organize but it will take more than that. Three-fourths of our health care dollars are spent on women. In order for us to have equality, the women will have to share. Have you ever tried to get a dollar out of a woman’s hand?

Michelle Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 10:39 am

I also have a problem with so much going into breast cancer fund raising – not because of gender discrimination, men also get breast cancer but there are so many other cancers that are underfunded. My Dad had bladder cancer, I had skin cancer and my Mom has bile duct cancer. There is not a treatment approved for bile duct cancer so they are trying treatments that have been used in “other” cancers. There was a trial for this type of cancer that was promising but the study was canceled due to lack of funding. My Mom is stage 4 and without a miracle little can be done for her. I wish that fund raising could be done for cancer in general and funds distributed as needed for research to the different types of cancers.

John Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:26 am

Just like Title IX demands that women’s sports receive equal funding, men should demand that men’s medical research get equal funding. Enough descrimination against males (particularly white males!)

Ken Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:37 am

Second class citizens? That is ridiculous and ignorant. The vast majority of research is conducted on white males. Perhaps, research dollars are being directed towards breast cancer research because it is the 3rd leading cause of death for women. Prostate cancer is usually very slow growing and often doesn’t even require treatment.

John Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

The politics of cancer research and action is skewed more to women. While much has been done to draw attention to women’s health issues the fact of the matter is that in the US there is cultural bias against men. Prostate cancer is seen largely as an ‘old man’s’ disease affecting those who are past their prime as ‘producers’…and are thus expendable. Who in their right mind would go to great lengths to save an 80 year old man versus a woman in her child bearing years?

Ann Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

Now that hormone replacement therapy (for severe menopausal “discomforts”) has been largely discredited through extensive studies as a contributing factor in the development of breast cancer, more attention is being paid to environmental (=chemical) and dietary factors. This affects men as well as women, because men also have breasts and are susceptible to breast carcinomas. The original question as posed is a naive one, a “straw man.” There needs to be more funded research on all types of cancer occurring in human beings and in those with which we share a lot of DNA.

fgjoyce Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Hey guys, anyone with breasts can get breast cancer so the money spent on breast cancer research benefits men too. Susan G. Komen funds not only research and education, but provides mammograms and other necessary testing for uninsured or under insured men or women. There is no political agenda here. I know the facts because I am a breast cancer survivor.

Richard Babb Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

In my 40’s and 50’s, I was biopsied five times for suspicion of prostate cancer, due to high PSA levels. Fortunately I was negative all five times. But I did feel that they were aggressively pursuing the possibility, although that has nothing to do with research. Probably one reason for the higher breast cancer awareness is the disfigurement that results from a mastectomy. Prostate removal leaves one outwardly “intact,” despite the unpleasant aftereffects.

Steve Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 3:21 pm

Unfortunately being outspoken is the major driving force behind federal funding. Research funds are not always allocated based on need. There is also a major misconception that Prostate cancer is a slow growing disease that you usually “die with rather than die from.” The demographics are what they are. Prostate cancer is the most common solid tumor and the SECOND leading cause of cancer related DEATH among US men. Over the past 15 years the incidence of diagnosis has gone up but the death rate has steadily gone down–a direct result of increased awareness, early diagnosis through screening, and improved treatment. Everyone, men and women, need to be more vocal about appropriate funding to continue these efforts.

Richard Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

John, I am age 80 (feel like 60) with enlarged prostate that I take medication for. I am still self employed and do not consider myself “past my prime”. However, if I do develop cancer I would hope that my Dr. does not consider me expendable. Hopefully you are not a DR.

meade Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Most black males are subjected to prostate cancer. One can argue that prostate cancer research is seen as largely bias toward white males. More research should be done on black males. Since prostate cancer is more common among black males

Emmy Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Publicity isn’t less for prostate cancer than breast cancer . Pink ribbons don’t do it.
Meaningful advancements, with life sustaining results is in the
current molecular class of treatment medications evolving for Prostate Cancer.
Prostate cancer is actually receiving significant scientific,medical and
pharmaceutical endeavors and investment. There is a new prostate cancer diagnostic
test,with assurance of accuracy in a simple blood test ,instead
of the PSA test, . Advances are being made to treat prostate cancer in a more humane,
simpler and quicker procedure as reported in clinical studies with results for
remission and life prolonging as well for advanced prostate cancer.

One such promising drug now being reviewed by the FDA is “DANDREON.” This
medication avoids the painful,dehumanizing,debilitating procedures reported.
Please check out the new medical treatments for prostate ca.being developed.
These are substantial and significant improvements to sustain life.

The state of breast cancer with lots of pink ribbons and charity balls, and public testimoinals… still is stuck with the business as always, with testing with painful and frightening Needle Aspirations. multiple pokings, uncomfotable mammographies MRIs.
Accuracy ofin testing and radiography readings is still impacted upon by the .technician’s training,experience, how conscientious, level of fatigue after many mammos.

Mammo waiting lists can be as long as 4 months for a mammogram.

Current Treatment options available are frightening, painful, debilitating and
disfiguring. Chemo and Radiology treatments add other problems and side effects.

Cancers are a thriving, global commercial industry, at the expense of extreme
physical,emotional,personal and family suffering, loss of life.

Conquering cancer does not rest in pink ribbons, charity balls and billboards,
Life sustaining gains with tolerable treatments are happening for Prostate Cancer,
Very slow gains at this time for Breast cancer , unfortunately.

Emmy Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:31 pm

All the pink ribbons, charity balls, billboards are not as significant in Prostate and Breast
cancer, as the need for more cooperative Teaming between the Scientific, Medical,
Pharmaceutical researchers to include Physicists, to concentrate their efforts , globally, to
conquer cancers.

Prostate Cancer is faring much better than Breast cancer in substantial advancements.
Diagnostic procedures are refined for ruling out/identifying Prostate Cancer, reportedly in the form of an accurate blood test.
Life sustaining medications, which also support patients with
advanced stage prostate cancer are now in the hands of the FDA , have passed clinical
multiple clinical trials.
One such treatment is in the form of only an injection,it is currently under FDA review
called DANDREON. It is based on a molecular theory of treatment. Encouraging!

When you have a moment, check out the DANDREON website.

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