Tudela joins fight vs prostate cancer

With the growing need to educate men on prostate cancer, Mayor Juan B. Tudela, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Cancer Association and the Department of Public Health, has declared Sept. 12-25 as 2004 Prostate Cancer Awareness Weeks for the NMI capital.

Tudela endorsed the fight against cancer Wednesday morning during a ceremony at his office in Afetnas.

“We are here today because we know the dangers of prostate cancer,” he said. “We know how it can make families suffer when a loved one passes away. [And] we know the best way to prevent it is to get tested every year, especially if you are over 50 years old or at risk if your father or brother was diagnosed or died from prostate cancer.”

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has declared the month of September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Tudela disclosed that presentations on prostate cancer prevention and awareness would be conducted at various locations throughout the ensuing two weeks. Among the locations are Pacific Trading Co., Pacific Islands Club, Marianas Cable Vision, Saipan Shipping, Saipan Stevedore, Division of Customs, Commonwealth Ports Authority, and Verizon. Three presentations will be conducted at the PIC, while two will be held at MCV.

Presentations will be conducted by two doctors and three nurses from the Commonwealth Health Center.

The mayor also indicated that highlights for the weeks include “Celebrity Bagging,” which would take place at Price Costco and Dolphin Wholesale in San Jose next Saturday, Sept. 18, and the following Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9am to 1pm.

Tudela, who disclosed that he has undergone the check-up himself and feels better about it, urged middle-aged men to do the same.

“For two full weeks, we are again asking all middle-aged men on Saipan to be aware of the risks of prostate cancer, and to do something about it,” Tudela said. “Only then will you know that you are on the right path to living a longer and healthier life with your loved ones.”

Tudela also lauded CCA president Hans Mickelson and other association members, as well as the DPH for joining hands in helping “spread the work” in addressing “this preventable disease.”

The proclamation disclosed that between 1997 and 2003, the CNMI DPH registered an estimated 25 men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer, with seven succumbing to the cancer in 1997.

Further, the proclamation explained that 230,110 men in the United States will learn that they have prostate cancer, and that approximately 29,900 men will lose their lives to the disease in 2004.

“One in six men in the nation are at risk of developing prostate cancer during their lifetime,” Tudela said.

This is the third year in which the Saipan Mayor’s Office has worked with other agencies in promoting awareness of the cancer. In 2002, Tudela signed, with the American Cancer Association, a proclamation for a one-day event. The event grew last year as Tudela declared a weeklong awareness campaign with the CCA and DPH.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Real Men Do It! Prostate Cancer Screening Saves Lives.”

Individuals interested in the Celebrity Bagging activity may contact Joyce Songsong at 236-8728/28 to sign up.

Those interested in having an hour awareness presentation may contact Chris Kapileo at 683-0050.