Prostate Cancer Awareness Day in Israel

[Lenny Hirsch]

I have pasted below a Press Release of " The Living with Prostate Cancer Foundation"


עמותת חיים עם סרטן הערמונית

The "Living with Prostate Cancer" Foundation
Chairman, Lenny Hirsch
Cell. 0544570595
[e-mail] .
Registration number…580497980……



Press Release


This foundation has been established by a group of men and their partners. The aims of the Foundation are as follows:

1. To bring about awareness of Prostate Cancer in Israel.
2. To provide support and guidance to men who have Prostate Cancer and to also provide support and guidance to their families or partners.
3. To distribute information about Prostate Cancer.

Today there are many treatments available to rid the man of the cancer. However, in many cases the side effects of the various treatments can affect the quality of life of the man and his family. Among the more common side effects are, erectile dysfunction, lack or loss of libido, impotency, incontinence and depression. The final choice of the patient regarding which treatment to undergo is his.

In this country it is estimated that one in six men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. In Israel in 2006, 380 men died of the disease. Being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer is not a death sentence. Most men, who are treated in time, will live a natural life and die from other causes. Not all cases have to be treated as Prostate Cancer is a very slow growing cancer. The patient in these cases is monitored and tested on a regular basis. Prime Minister Olmert is an example. In a lot of cases these men will die of other causes. On the other hand, if not treated, the disease can kill. Awareness and early detection saves lives.

At the present time the most efficient test for Prostate Cancer is the PSA blood test. The PSA is not cancer specific, but indicates that there could be problems with the prostate. Over the years there have been many arguments on the pros and cons of the efficiency of this test. In America, since the introduction of the PSA test it is estimated that there has been a reduction in deaths due to prostate cancer of more than 30%. It is recommended to start testing at the age of 50. Men who are at high risk, are those who have a history of cancer in their immediate family, brother, father, uncle, mother, sister or aunt. They should discuss this matter with their family physician at the age of 40. After the Prime Minister was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer he asked that all male members of the Knesset undergo a PSA test.

September is observed as Prostate Cancer Awareness month in most parts of the world. The Foundation is observing 16/9/08 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Day with lectures on early detection throughout the country. The lectures are being given by urologists in the following centers: Karmiel, Kiriyat Ata, Haifa, Pardes Hana, Ramat Hasharon, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Rehovot and Beersheba. Lectures will start at 18.00 and last about an hour. For further details contact Lenny Hirsch 0544570595

The Foundation is in the process of recruiting members. The initial funding has come from various drug companies but we are hoping for donations from the private sector to carry on our work.

Founder Members include Mike Burstyn and Yaacov Peri.

Members of the Board are Hanoch Maliss, Shraga Dushinsky, Itzhak Ber, Anita Zylberberg and Lenny Hirsch (Chairman).
Honorary Board Members are Prof. Haim Matzkin and Dr. Mickey Gross
Please refer all and any enquiries to Lenny Hirsch.
Until funds become available to create a website, information can be found at;
www. Shalomprostate.co.il. This site has an English section.