September 13, 2006

SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU sponsors Men’s Night Out with Ron Santo

Prostate screenings and health issues for men are the topics of an educational program, "SIU Men’s Night Out," held in October, featuring Ron Santo, former Cubs third baseman and current Cubs broadcaster on WGN radio. The program is presented by the Prostate Center of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine.

Presented as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness month, the event for men begins at
5 p.m. Thursday, October 12, at Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St., Springfield.

Santo, third baseman for the Chicago Cubs from 1960 until 1973, hit 337 home runs and won five Gold Gloves during his 14-season career. Since his playing days ended, he has worked tirelessly to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and root for his beloved Cubs. Santo was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 18, the year he became a professional baseball player. In September 2003, Santo's #10 was retired by the Cubs.

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

At 6:30 p.m., the educational portion of the evening will begin. Dr. Thomas Tarter, associate professor of urology and director of SIU’s Prostate Center, will lead the event and introduce the health services available to men at the SIU School of Medicine.

Talks will follow by Dr. Robert Bussing, associate professor and chief of general internal medicine, on men’s health and diet and exercise; Dr. Brad Schwartz, associate professor of urology, on benign prostate hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction; and Dr. Thomas Shanahan, radiation oncologist at Memorial Medical Center, on prostate cancer screening. The evening will end with Santo who will speak on his baseball career and take questions following his talk.

Prostate cancer strikes 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 and treatment 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 Ron Santo are Bank of Springfield, St. John’s Hospital, the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU, Astra Zeneca, SIU Physicians & Surgeons and Memorial Medical Center.

To request a $10 ticket for SIU Men's Night Out, men age 21 and older may call Carol at 217-545-7133 weekdays.

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