Mayor Demings Updates Prostate Cancer Status, Urges Early Detection During Awareness Month

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings provided a personal update on his prostate cancer battle this week, emphasizing the critical importance of early detection. The mayor's statement came during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed throughout September.

Demings first announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in June during the annual 'State of the County' address at the Orange County Convention Center. Following this announcement, he paused his gubernatorial campaign for the democratic nomination.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Mayor Demings shared details about his treatment choice. "After talking with my doctors and learning about my treatment options, I chose to undergo surgery to remove my prostate," Demings said. He also expressed gratitude for the medical care he received. Demings highlighted that the most significant lesson from his experience is that "early detection matters."

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Cancer Society projects approximately 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer in 2026.

Residents can learn more about prostate cancer awareness and early detection through health organizations like the CDC and the American Cancer Society.