Retired NFL players get prostate tests

CANTON, Ohio, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Retired National Football League players were screened for prostate cancer as part of Hall of Fame activities in Canton, Ohio.

The screening during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in Canton kicked off a prostate cancer research and awareness initiative by the American Urological Association funded by the National Football League Player Care Foundation. The foundation was created in 2007 to help address health and other issues faced by retired players.

Fourteen retired NFL players were screened in the hope of raising awareness of the need for men to get screened for prostate cancer.

The American Urological Association recommends annual screening for men starting at age 50. African-American men and those with a family history of the disease are at a greater risk and should begin screening earlier.

The American Urological Association Foundation gave out prostate cancer information to the thousands of fans outside Fawcett Stadium.

"Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the United States," Sandra Vassos of the American Urological Association said in a statement. "We are so pleased that the NFL Player Care Foundation has made awareness for this disease a priority and that we can help facilitate this initiative."