# 3315 - 1999 33c Prostate Cancer Awareness

US #3315
1999 Prostate Cancer Awareness

• Issued to raise awareness for prostate cancer

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Value:  33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue:  May 28, 1999
First Day City:  Austin, Texas
Quantity Issued:  78,100,000
Printed by:  Avery Dennison Security Products Division of Clinton, South Carolina
Printing Method:  Photogravure
Format:  Panes of 20 (Vertical 5 across, 4 down)
Perforations:  11 (Die-cut simulated perforations (Comco Commander rotary die cutter)
Tagging:  Phosphored paper

Why the stamp was issued:  To raise awareness for prostate cancer after a number of officials were inspired by the 1997 Breast Cancer Awareness Semi-postal stamp.  Postmaster General Marvin T. Runyon said, “With this stamp, the Postal Service hopes to draw attention to the importance of early detection, which is the key to successful treatment of prostate cancer and to saving the lives of husbands, grandfathers, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and friends.”  Some officials wanted this to be another Semi-postal stamp, but the USPS didn’t want to release another so close to the Breast Cancer Awareness stamp.  They also wanted to ensure the program would be a success in raising money for these worthy causes before issuing additional designs.

About the stamp design:  Pictures a digital illustration by San Francisco, California, artist Michael Cronan.  It shows the male gender symbol in orange against a red background.  The bottom right corner includes a black box which reads “Annual Checkups and Tests.”

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Austin, Texas, as part of the “Ride for the Roses” fundraiser hosted by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  Armstrong was a survivor of testicular cancer and spoke at the event.

History the stamp represents:  Although the occurrence of prostate cancer is rare among men under age 50, experts speculae that most elderly men have at least traces of the disease.  It often lies dormant for years, without causing symptoms.  But once prostate cancer spreads, it is usually fatal.  By issuing the “Prostate Cancer Awareness” stamp, the USPS hopes men are encouraged to discuss the disease with a physician during their annual checkup.

After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men.  African-American men have the highest likelihood of developing the disease, which can spread to the bones, liver, lungs, and other organs if left undetected.  Cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate can be cured.  Fortunately, more than half of the cases are diagnosed in the early stages.  Medical advances have increased the overall five-year survival rate from 50 percent to nearly 80 percent.

Research has found that a change in lifestyle, along with a diet filled with fruits and vegetables instead of fats, can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer 10 to 20 percent.  Exercise and weight control are also beneficial.  Lycopene, found abundantly in cooked tomatoes, may help ward off the disease as well.  Early detection remains the best defense against prostate cancer.