Prostate cancer survivor: 'Guys, get yourself checked!'

Prostate cancer survivor: 'Guys, get yourself checked!' »Play Video
State senator Jeff Kruse speaks about being a prostate cancer survivor.

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Oregon State Senator Jeff Kruse was one of those 6.

The 2-year prostate cancer survivor says he's living proof that being proactive saves lives. "There was no way I would have known," Kruse said. "I think with most cancers that's it. Unless you do the testing you aren't going to know, and by the time it's affecting you physically, it's probably too late to do anything about it."

At the Community Cancer Center, they're hoping that one day the blue ribbon will be as popular as the pink ribbon is today.  "People always talk about breast cancer awareness, but what's now known is that prostate cancer is 35% more likely to be diagnosed in a man than breast cancer is in a woman," said Jaynee Germond, the prostate cancer program manager.

"The message I hear from the cancer center and the message I try to give is: Guys, get yourself checked," Kruse said.

That, health experts say, will save lives.