Boston City Councillor John M. Tobin, Jr. last week announced Prostate Cancer Awareness Week in Boston to highlight the importance of regular screening for the disease and early detection.

Councillor Tobin filed a resolution at the Boston City Council’s weekly meeting meeting June 11 announcing Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, which began Sunday, June 8 and ran through Father’s Day. Councillor Tobin, working with Tufts Medical Center, also arranged for the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test to be administered in his office. Seven City Councillors, including Councillor Tobin and 12 staff members took the test that helps detect the disease.

“A simple blood test can save lives,” said Councillor Tobin, who represents West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. “It can be tough to get men to go to the doctor. We get busy working and raising families and we put our own health care on hold. That can be a deadly. It’s vital that men get checked early and regularly.”

Councillor Tobin said he was approached last fall by West Roxbury resident and prostate cancer survivor Joe Finn about trying to raise prostate cancer awareness. Finn, who was diagnosed, treated and today is cancer free, has been trying reach out and urge other men to get checked.

With help from Tufts Medical Center and the Neeley House, Finn put together a television public
service announcement that includes appearances by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, comedian Lenny Clarke, NESN’s Mad Fisherman Charlie Moore and Ernie Boch, Jr. The ad is running on local television stations around Father’s Day.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 186,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. According to the organization’s statistics, more than 28,000 will die of the disease in 2008. After lung cancer, prostate cancer is listed as the most common cause of cancer death in men.
“Prostate cancer touches so many people’s lives. The statistics are sobering, but the news is encouraging,” said Councillor Tobin. “The death rate for prostate cancer is declining and the cure rate is over 90 percent when the disease is found and treated early.”