Dad's Day 5K Steps Out for Prostate Cancer

INDIANAPOLIS - Many fathers know best when it comes to prostate cancer and understanding its risks - and they'll be taking that message to city streets on Father's Day weekend.

The "Dad's Day 5K" run-and-fitness walk will step off 8 a.m., Saturday, June 14. The event and registration area is at the Indiana University Cancer Center Pavilion, 535 Barnhill Drive, on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus.

Proceeds from the event will benefit cancer research at the IU School of Medicine and the Little Red Door, a support agency for medically underserved cancer patients. The program is sponsored by the Central Indiana Prostate Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CIPCFI), which promotes fundraising, research and educating the public about prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer remains the leading killer cancer among men, but early detection and treatment can lead to complete recovery," says Michael Koch, M.D., chair of the IU Department of Urology and a member of CIPCFI's board of directors.

"If prostate cancer is caught early, survival rates are 90 percent or higher," says Dr. Koch. "However there often are no early warning signs or symptoms of the disease and the only way to detect prostate cancer in its early stages is through a prostate specific antigen blood test and a digital rectal exam."

PSA is a protein produced in the cells in the prostate gland. When the prostate gland enlarges, PSA levels in the blood tend to rise and might indicate cancer or benign conditions.

As pink ribbons have become symbolic to breast cancer awareness, a sky blue ribbon is the emblem worn by prostate cancer survivors, their families, scientists and other advocates. Participants and supporters of the "Dad's Day 5K" will wear their ribbons on the day of the event.

For more information or to register on-line for the event, go to www.indydadsday5k.org.

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Media Contact: Joe Stuteville
317-274-7722
jstutevi@iupui.edu

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