Urologists, Henry Schein Urge Families To Put a Prostate Cancer Check-up On The Back To School List For Dad

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 18, 2013 / 3BL Media/ PRNewswire/ -- LUGPA, representing more than 2,000 urologists nationwide, and Henry Schein Cares, the global corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc., have partnered again this year to raise awareness among families across the country of the importance of putting prostate cancer check-ups on the calendar for the men in their lives. September – for many families, back-to-school time for the kids – is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. To create more public awareness about the importance of early detection of prostate cancer to save men's lives, LUGPA and Henry Schein have re-launched an educational initiative to put a prostate cancer check-up for dad on American families' back to school list.

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"Prostate cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men. As children return to school this year, we want families to be reminded that with early detection, this disease is almost always curable," said Dr. Deepak A. Kapoor, a prominent New York urologist and president of LUGPA. "Take this opportunity to remind your loved ones to have a discussion with their doctor to determine if they need a prostate check-up. Together we can help ensure that generations of men are there to see their children and grandchildren, grow up and go back to school each year."

According to Dr. Kapoor, one out of six American men will have prostate cancer in their lifetime; the incidence is even higher for African-American men, those with a family history of prostate cancer and men with a higher baseline PSA in their 40s. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy diagnosed in men; with early detection efforts, the death rate from prostate cancer has decreased by over 40 percent in the United States.

Dr. Kapoor stated, "The most recent PSA screening guidelines – released just last month – state definitively that PSA screening reduces cancer mortality and reduces the risk of being diagnosed with or developing advanced prostate cancer.  Furthermore, it is recommended that men between the ages of 40-45 obtain a baseline PSA, and that all men with a life expectancy of 10 years or more be screened, regardless of age." "Unfortunately, there are no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer, when the disease is most treatable," said Kapoor. "Despite improvement in patient education and awareness, many men still fall through the cracks. When the disease is caught early, the 10-year survival is almost 99 percent. We support the rights of men to access appropriate, life-saving prostate cancer screening, and we encourage men to have a conversation with their doctors regarding whether screening is appropriate for them."

This year's education campaign includes communication efforts to practitioners and the public about the importance of early detection in the fight against prostate cancer, including distribution of educational materials to practitioners for their patient waiting rooms, as well as public service announcements.  

Visit www.lugpa.org/b2s for more information.

About LUGPA
LUGPA represents 121 large urology group practices in the United States, with more than 2,000 physicians who make up more than 20 percent of the nation's practicing urologists. LUGPA and its member practices are committed to best practices, research, data collection and benchmarking to promote quality clinical outcomes. For more information, visit lugpa.org.

About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC) is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners.  The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.  A FORTUNE 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs nearly 16,000 Team Schein Members and serves approximately 775,000 customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care.  Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items.

The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services. 

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 24 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $8.9 billion in 2012, and have grown at a compound annual rate of 17% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

About Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world.  Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief. Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good."  Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success. 

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