SIU Cancer Institute Sponsors Men's Night Out with Cardinal Hall of Fame Pitcher

Timely prostate screenings and other health issues are the topics of a men's health educational program, "SIU Men's Night Out," held in September, featuring Bob Gibson, hall of fame pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and prostate cancer survivor.

Part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, the educational event for men begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, September 16, in the Commons at Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St., Springfield. The program is presented by the Prostate Center of the Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Gibson, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 to 1975, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. He was best known as a premier big-game pitcher, posting records of seven consecutive wins and 17 strikeouts in a game, both of which remain unbroken. He posted a 1.12 ERA (earned run average) in 1968, the lowest figure since 1914. He struck out 3,117 batters in his career.

The program begins with a free barbecue dinner and health information and screening opportunities by various health care organizations. There will be sign-ups for prostate screenings and autographed baseballs as door prizes. All participants will receive a complimentary souvenir tee shirt.

At 6 p.m., the educational portion of the evening will begin with talks by Dr. Robert Bussing, associate professor of internal medicine and SIU chief of general internal medicine, on men's health; Dr. Thomas Tarter, associate professor of urology, on prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia; and Dr. Jeff Karnes, assistant professor of urology, on erectile dysfunction. The evening program will conclude with Gibson, who will speak on his baseball career and experience as a prostate cancer survivor. Gibson will be available for questions following his talk.

Prostate cancer will strike over 220,000 men in the United States each year. One man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Early detection is one of the best tools for treatment. Screening that includes a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test combined with a digital rectal exam has led to cases being diagnosed earlier, often leading to a cure and increased survival.

Sponsors for SIU Men's Night Out with Bob Gibson are Astra Zeneca, Bank of Springfield, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Isringhausen Imports, Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital.

To request a complimentary ticket for SIU Men's Night Out, men age 21 and older can call Carol at 217-545-7133 weekdays.

-30-