Every year 260,000 men in the United states are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 30,000 die of it. With early detection and treatment, many of those lives can be saved. That's why in 2,000 Thor Industries launched the first-ever mobile prostate cancer-screening vehicle in a program called the Drive Against Prostate Cancer (DAPC). Since its introduction, the DAPC has provided free prostate cancer screenings to nearly 45,000 men on board its two custom designed Airstream mobile medical clinics. The Drive has been to the U. S. Senate, the New York Stock Exchange, Times Square, major league ballparks, NASCAR races, state fairs, and large and small cities and towns all around the country.
About 7% of men screened have symptoms of the disease. Because of the early detection made possible by the DAPC, over 3,000 lives have likely been saved.
Wade F. B. Thompson, Thor's Chairman, President, and CEO, and a prostate cancer survivor himself, was the principal impetus in the founding of the Drive Against Prostate Cancer. "This program has been enormously successful in early detection of the disease by providing a screening resource to thousands of men who may not otherwise have sought or received prostate cancer screening. We have raised the awareness of this silent killer and have probably saved thousands of lives as a result," according to Mr. Thompson. "As the world's leading manufacturer of RVs and buses, Thor is in a unique position to construct and field a life-saving service in the form of these mobile screening facilities," he added.
In partnership with the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC), which manages the program and schedules the events, the DAPC provides quality medical care at each screening event. Each man receives a blood test for Prostate specific Antigen (PSA) and a physical exam, the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). A licensed phlebotomist draws the blood samples and a urologist, urology resident, or general practitioner performs the physical exam. Test results are e-mailed to a cancer center for evaluation, and each man receives a notification letter briefly explaining the test results and providing links to information on the web, a toll-free phone number to the NPCC, and a contact at the cancer center. Men with abnormal results receive a second letter urging them to seek medical advice immediately.
No one is screened without a "medical home". NPCC contacts area hospitals and city, county, or state health agencies to ensure health services for those who may need follow-up medical care but cannot afford it.
If you would like to learn more about the Drive Against Prostate Cancer (http://www.fightprostatecancer.org), upcoming events, or how you can become a partner in this life-saving effort, contact the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, 1154 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005; or call 202-463-9455.