September was first designated National Prostate Health Month (NPHM) by the American Foundation for Urological Disease (AFUD) in 1999. AFUD is now known as the Urology Care Foundation. Originally the aims of observing NPHM were more restricted, concentrating on making the public better informed about prostate health issues
In 2001, Senate Resolution 138 sponsored by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) endorsed the week and affirmed that Prostate Health Month would be observed annually. In a 2003 presidential proclamation, President George W. Bush voiced his support for the month, but instead of designating the month to be for prostate health in general, specifically named the month National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (NPCA).
NPCA is observed every September in the United States by health experts, health advocates, and individuals concerned with men’s prostate health. Designating a month for the issue serves the purpose of:
- Increasing public awareness of the importance of prostate health
- Providing easily accessible prostate health screenings
- Educating about risk factors and symptoms of prostate related diseases and
- Advocating for further research on prostate health issues.