This resolution expresses Congressional support for designating September 2025 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to promote screening, research, and education regarding the disease.
Michael "Mike" Crapo
Senator
ID
This resolution expresses strong Congressional support for designating September 2025 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. It highlights the critical need for increased public awareness regarding early detection, screening options, and ongoing research efforts. The bill encourages all Americans to participate in activities promoting education and support for those affected by this common cancer.
Congress Backs September 2025 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: What It Means for Screening and Research
This resolution is Congress throwing its official support behind designating September 2025 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month." While it doesn't create new laws or funding, it’s a high-level endorsement designed to shine a spotlight on a major public health issue, pushing for better awareness, research, and care access.
The Real Stakes: Why Early Detection Matters
If you’re a man over 40, or if you have a father or brother who had prostate cancer, this resolution is speaking directly to you. The text lays out the sobering facts: prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men, and about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. The kicker is that if it’s caught early—while localized or regional—the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%. If it spreads, that rate drops to 37%. Since early stages often have zero symptoms, this resolution is essentially a massive public service announcement urging men to talk to their doctors about screening options like the PSA blood test.
Where the Money and Effort Are Already Going
This resolution isn't starting from scratch; it acknowledges the significant federal effort already underway. For fiscal year 2025, Congress allocated serious money: $48.551 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with $7.22 billion specifically for the National Cancer Institute. The Department of Defense also chipped in $75 million for its Prostate Cancer Research Program. For veterans, the resolution notes that the Department of Veterans Affairs has 21 specialized centers dedicated to providing precise oncology care. This resolution reinforces the importance of these existing funding streams and programs.
The Call to Action for Everyone Else
Beyond just stamping a date on the calendar, the resolution calls for specific actions. It urges continued research for better prevention, detection, and treatment, and emphasizes the need to improve access to high-quality healthcare services for both finding and treating the disease. Crucially, it asks regular citizens, organizations, and those affected by the disease to actively promote awareness and observe the month with fitting activities. Think of this as Congress setting the stage for every health clinic, employer, and community group to run awareness campaigns next September, making sure the conversation about screening happens in doctor's offices and around kitchen tables across the country.