American Cancer Society Launches the Great American Health Check, Spon

    Philanthropy Writers/Business Editors/Insurance Writers

    ATLANTA & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2005--According to the latest statistics compiled by the American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cancer, fewer than 50 percent of all adults get all the early detection tests for cancer on schedule as recommended by the Society. Cancers that could be detected earlier by following the Society's testing guidelines account for nearly half of all new cancer cases. Survival rates for many cancers have improved over the last two decades, due in large part to increased use of early detection tests. To raise awareness about the importance of cancer tests and to encourage Americans to get tested for cancer, the American Cancer Society announced today that it is debuting the American Cancer Society's Great American Health Check(SM), sponsored by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ("MetLife").
    The Great American Health Check, which will launch May 1, 2005, is an online health assessment tool developed by the American Cancer Society to enable individuals to learn which early detection tests for cancer are right for them. Barriers to getting these tests include confusion about which tests are necessary for whom and when the tests should be done, as well as the discomfort many Americans feel about discussing some cancer tests with their doctor. The American Cancer Society hopes to help Americans overcome these barriers with the Great American Health Check, a series of initiatives intended to encourage Americans to know which specific tests they need, to talk with their doctor, and to get tested.
    After avoiding tobacco use and maintaining a healthy weight, following American Cancer Society recommendations for cancer early detection is the most important thing people can do to reduce their chances of dying from cancer. For example, according to the latest statistics compiled by the American Cancer Society, use of the Pap test has caused cervical cancer cases and deaths to drop by about 70 percent over the last several decades. Breast cancer death rates have declined by about 20 percent since 1991, due in large part to greater use of mammography in early detection. And, while death rates from colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as colon cancer) -- the third most common cancer in both men and women -- have steadily decreased over the past 15 years, increasing colon cancer early detection testing among adults 50 and older represents the single greatest opportunity to decrease colon cancer death rates in the United States. In addition, colon cancer is the rare case in which testing can actually prevent the disease altogether, if pre-cancerous polyps are found and removed during testing (cervical cancer is another example).
    "While cancer remains one of the top health concerns of Americans, many people may not realize cancers that can be prevented or detected earlier by screening account for about half of all new cancer cases," said Stephen F. Sener, MD, national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society. "The Great American Health Check is one of several ways the Society works to spread the life-saving messages of prevention and early detection."
    "Through MetLife's sponsorship, the American Cancer Society is able to launch the Great American Health Check, which the Society hopes will continue to raise the level of awareness about the importance of cancer screening tests," said Thomas G. Burish, PhD, national volunteer chair of the Society's Board of Directors.
    "Since its inception, MetLife has supported public health campaigns to improve the health and welfare of the American public," said Lee Launer, President of MetLife's Institutional Business. "This alliance is a perfect fit for MetLife. MetLife's reach to its corporate and retail customers will allow us to communicate the importance of cancer screenings to millions of Americans."
    "At the core of both organizations - MetLife and the American Cancer Society - are strong leadership and a commitment to social responsibility," added Launer.
    MetLife's primary goal in supporting the Great American Health Check is to encourage cancer screenings and, ultimately, help reduce the financial burden of cancer-related illnesses to its customers - both consumers and employers - by preserving good health.
    The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 14 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

    MetLife, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), is a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to individual and institutional customers. The MetLife companies serve individuals in approximately 13 million households in the U.S. and provide benefits to 37 million employees and family members through their plan sponsors. Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies serve approximately 9 million customers through direct insurance operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay. For more information about MetLife, please visit the company's Web site at www.metlife.com.

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CONTACT: MetLife Toni Griffin, 727-862-7006 tgriffin2@metlife.com or American Cancer Society Anne Isenhower, 404-417-5850 anne.isenhower@cancer.org

KEYWORD: GEORGIA NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: INSURANCE HUMAN RESOURCES BANKING MEDICAL PRODUCT SOURCE: MetLife

Copyright Business Wire 2005