Summer is the time of the year for family reunions, those fun times where families come together to share, and celebrate. Delicious food and great times are the hallmarks of these gatherings, where discussions center on commonalities and the family history. There is nothing quite like a family reunion for keeping us grounded in the reality of who we are as the family genes are clearly on display all around us.
Family health, another aspect of our family genes that may not be as visible as some physical features, is oftentimes discussed in very general terms as we enjoy the fried chicken and apple pie and ask, "How is Aunt Mary" or "How is Uncle Jim?" This concern is genuine but mostly a casual part of the conversation. However, family reunions may be the opportune time to understand family health issues in some depth and discuss preventive strategies for the entire family that could keep the family enjoying the food and conversations for years to come while avoiding serious health issues. Some health issues are hereditary, and a better understanding of these issues is important for everyone and could be well worth the family reunion trip.
Men's prostate health is one of these issues, which is scientifically proven to be tied to family genetics. While prostate cancer runs in families, many are not aware of this significance, and have little or no knowledge of how best to protect their lives and the quality of their lives. For black families prostate cancer is an epidemic with an incidence rate 60% higher and a death rate 140% higher than for all other men. Countless lives could be saved and much suffering eliminated if prostate health was a serious topic for both men and women at families reunions.
The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) recently introduced PHEN TV, an online educational television program that is available to everyone at
www.PHENTV.com . We invite all families to make PHEN TV a part of their family reunions and all you need is a computer with internet. The original programming on PHEN TV includes "Prostate Health 101," "Treatment Options," "Prostate Cancer Survivors Roundtable Discussion," "Why The African American Disparity" and many others. Program presenters consist of medical specialists, prostate cancer survivors, political leaders and others. PHEN TV will surely educate and create useful discussion among family members at your reunion. If prostate cancer runs in your family, then we urge the prostate cancer survivor(s) within your family to make this their project out of a sense of family care and concern. Reach out and talk to your brothers, sons and cousins in a meaningful way so that you all can continue to enjoy these reunions for years to come.
We would sincerely appreciate receiving some feedback from those families that make PHEN TV a part of their reunions. Enjoy the summer and your reunion!
About the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN):
PHEN is an I.R.C. 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that was founded by Thomas A. Farrington, who is a prostate cancer survivor and author of the book Battling the Killer Within and most recently, Battling the Killer Within and Winning. PHEN's mission is to increase prostate health education and awareness among African-American men. For additional resources and information, visit the PHEN website at
www.prostatehealthed.org This article was written by By Thomas A. Farrington - President and Founder, the Prostate Health Education Network.
Posted By: Dante Lee
Friday, July 18th 2008 at 11:09PM
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