About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, other than skin cancers, in American men. With a one in six lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer, estimates for 2008 indicate that more than 186,000 men will be diagnosed in the United States, and nearly 28,700 will die from the disease. African American men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from the disease. The second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer, prostate cancer is often treatable if detected early.

See the Dash for Dad 10K & 2K Walk Web site

Marathoner Bill Rodgers Promotes Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
"Catch It Early and Beat It"

Bill Rodgers spoke on the telephone (8/8/08) with the Washington Running Report about his recent fight with prostate cancer.

A simple blood test can catch prostate cancer in the early stages, when it can be beaten; Bill Rodgers wants to raise awareness and promote regular testing after men reach age 40. "You gotta do it." It's important to get tested because one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and there will be more cases of prostate cancer than any other major cancer this year. Prostate cancer will affect nearly as many men in the USA every year as the number of women affected by breast cancer.

Bill Rodgers, age 60, has had a routine annual screening with the blood test; in December, 2007, the test result came back with an elevated PSA level. A bioposy revealed that he had prostate cancer, and Bill underwent surgery in mid-January. Blood tests after his surgery to remove the cancer have shown that his PSA has returned to a low level. And Bill Rodgers is back racing; in early April, he completed the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, DC (1:13:09).

After the surgery in January, Bill Rodgers walked with his fiancee and a good friend recovering from a hernia operation. Others friends showed their support by bringing over food. His initial reaction was shock at the news that he needed surgery to remove the prostate cancer--he hadn't stayed in a hospital for fifty years. Three weeks after surgery, he went to the Gasparilla 15K in Tampa, FL but he wasn't quite ready for the starting line. Running is a quest, and Bill Rodgers has comeback from injury and illness. He has been a resilient athlete with rare periods of inactivity, and he has always given running his best effort. "It's a never ending learning process."

Photo above: Bill Rodgers at the 2008 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K on August 2 in Cape Elizabeth, ME.

Runners live life to the fullest, so why lose it to cancer? Athletes are in tune with their bodies; they should be vigilant against cancer and get tested.

Bill Rodgers will be in Falmouth this weekend for the CIGNA Falmouth 7-Miler; it's a two hour drive from his home in Massachusetts. Fellow marathon stars Frank Shorter (1972 Olympic gold medalist) and Joan Benoit Samuelson (1984 Olympic gold medalist) also make frequent appearances at Falmouth. Bill and Frank duked it out several times during the height of their racing careers. The Falmouth Road Race was first held in 1973. Bill Rodgers won the race as an unknown in 1974 with miler Marty Liquori in the field, and gold medalist Frank Shorter raced to victory in 1975, unseating Bill Rodgers. Joan Benoit Samuelson won her first Falmouth title around 1978.

About Bill Rodger's Advocacy for Prostate Cancer Awareness
While there are few among the running community who are unacquainted with the name Bill Rodgers, it is less likely they are aware that the U.S. marathon legend is also a prostate cancer survivor and committed advocate. Dedicated to educating the community about prostate cancer, Bill has joined the Prostate Cancer Education Council (PCEC) as a national spokesperson of the 2008 PACE Race Series.

"I am proud to join the Prostate Cancer Education Council in their efforts to bring greater awareness around a disease that impacts one in six American men," said Bill Rodgers. "As a prostate cancer survivor, I want others to know the importance of screening for this deadly disease."

The PACE Race 5K Run/Walk Series was launched in 2002 by the PCEC to increase awareness of prostate cancer and to educate men and their families on treatment options, with events in cities across the country.

With Bill's impressive biography - which includes representing the United States as a member of the 1976 USA Olympic team, winning 20 marathons across five continents, and 18 running awards (including induction into the Long Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1999 and USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2000), as well as holding several American running records - his status among the running community will help bring additional awareness about prostate cancer to communities all over the country.

Dash for Dad 10K on Sunday, September 28 in Alexandria, VA
The Dash for Dad 10K will be held on Sunday, September 28 in Alexandria, VA. Online registration is available at Active.com through Thursday, September 25.

Entry fee for the 10K is $25 until September 2; $30 thereafter. The 2K Walk is $10.

Packet Pickup and Weekend Registration
Register in person or pick up your bib, t-shirt, and transponder timing tag on Friday September 26, from 2:00 to 7:00 pm at the Hudson Trail Outfitters located at 1101 South Joyce St in Arlington, VA or Saturday, September 27, from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Pacers located at 1301 King Street in Alexandria, VA. Race day registration will be available from 6:30 to 7:45 am at the AMC Hoffman Theatre (206 Swamp Fox Rd near Eisenhower & Telegraph) in Alexandria, VA. The race begins at 8:00 am.

The Metro Yellow Line stop at Eisenhower is close to the race site. Please note that Metro opens at 7 am on Sunday, so plan your trip carefully.

Complete details are available on the Dash for Dad 10K Web site

About the Prostate Cancer Education Council
A national organization committed to men's health, the Prostate Cancer Education Council (PCEC) is dedicated to saving lives through awareness and the education of men, the women in their lives, as well as the medical community about prostate cancer prevalence, the importance of early detection, and available treatment options, as well as other men's health issues. The Council - comprised of a consortium of leading physicians, health educators, scientists and prostate cancer advocates - aims to conduct nation wide screenings for men and perform research that will aid in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer.

Learn More about the national PACE Race Series.