As a partner to the Greenville SC Chapter of the Us TOO Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, UPCA provides men and their families the tools and other information required to make informed decisions related to prostate cancer screening and treatment options.  The Upstate Prostate Cancer Alliance promotes and implements programs focused on education and awareness leading to early detection of prostate cancer. These programs include making educational presentations at churches, and other community organizations, as well as partnering with local hospitals to provide free screening for men at risk of developing prostate cancer.

In August UPCA and the Greenville Chapter of Us TOO Prostate Cancer and Education and Support Network initiated its annual awareness campaign leading into prostate cancer awareness month, which is observed each September.

During September, UPCA joins numerous prostate cancer organizations, private companies, individuals, and communities throughout the United States in promoting events that raise prostate cancer awareness. During this time we also encourage men to take advantage of the education and free screenings being offered here in Upstate South Carolina.

Our observance campaign officially began on August 12^th, as UPCA, and Us TOO, in partnership with Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, hosted a Breast and Prostate Cancer Awareness Forum. Our goal was to encourage men and women, spouses and partners and significant others to join together to work toward better health and learn about the risk factors, the signs and the symptoms of these two devastating diseases.

At the forum, physicians presented an educational overview of Breast and Prostate cancers. Survivors also shared their experiences. The program concluded with a questions and answers session.  The event was free and a healthy meal was served. Feedback from the community was very positive and we hope to do more programs of this type in the future.

Over 420 Colorado Springs and surrounding area residents turned out for an annual skin screening in May, recognizing the importance of early detection when it comes to cancer protection. This was the largest turnout since it began – up over 150% from prior years. The event was hosted by the community skin screening team, comprised of 6 local health care agencies including Peak Vista Community Health Centers, Penrose Cancer Center, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, Memorial Health System, American Cancer Society, local dermatologists and 18 volunteers. Through a grant from the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the team was able to utilize local marketing opportunities to reach the community with event details and is credited with positively impacting attendance.

Participants ranged in age from 6-94 and of the 426 community members screened, 173 were referred for follow-up. “Screenings such as this one benefit our community through heightened awareness of skin cancer and saving lives through early detection of possibly fatal skin cancer,” said Dr. Jim McCoy, a local dermatologist. Nine possible malignant melanomas were diagnosed at the screening.

The American Academy of Dermatology reports that 3.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. To prevent skin cancer, local dermatologists recommend generously applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

Editor’s Note: The Foundation’s Community Grants program supports local cancer education and screening programs across the United States for all populations, especially underserved communities. The Foundation is proud to support the skin cancer awareness and screenings provided by the Peak Vista Community Health Centers along with the other cancer prevention projects of the 2011 grantees.