( CNN ) -- Rick Lyke was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 47 . His response was to set up `` Pints for Prostates , '' an organization that uses the universal language of beer to reach men with its message about the importance of prostate cancer screening . In 2008 , at the insistence of a colleague with prostate cancer , Lyke , from Charlotte , North Carolina , had himself tested for illness , even though he had no health problems . His doctor was initially reluctant to have him tested , as men under the age of 50 are n't considered to a high-risk group for prostate cancer , but tests came back positive and Lyke needed surgery to remove the cancer . His surgeon said that if Lyke had waited until he was 50 to be screened , he would probably have only lived another two or three years . `` I 'm doing great now , '' Lyke told CNN . `` I have to get tested every six months for the next 15 years , but I really feel like I dodged a bullet . '' Prostate cancer affects one in six men American men , with 27,000 Americans expected to die from the disease this year . The American Cancer Society believes health care professionals should discuss the potential benefits and limitations of prostate cancer early detection testing with men before any testing begins . It says that should include an offer for yearly testing with the prostate-specific antigen blood test and digital rectal exam , beginning at age 50 , to men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and have at least a 10-year life expectancy . But Lyke says other groups recommend that men should be screened once they reach their forties . `` I think it 's a financial issue in a lot of cases rather than a health issue as to why that guideline is 50 , '' he told CNN . `` The fact of the matter is not many men are going to have prostate cancer in their forties , but for those who do , if they wait until they 're 50 to be tested , their numbers are n't going to look very good . '' Lyke founded `` Pints for Prostates '' to spread the message about need for regular prostate health screenings . The organization travels to beer festivals and tries to engage with men in an informal way . `` Beer is a universal thing for men , '' Lyke told CNN . `` Where women get together and talk about health issues , men really do n't , so we try to use an atmosphere like a pub , where guys are a little bit more relaxed , to talk about prostate cancer . '' He says prostate cancer is a highly personal disease for men , in much the same way that breast cancer is for women . Treatment for prostate cancer can sometimes result in impotence . `` The pink ribbon campaign has really made it possible for women to talk about breast cancer , so we 're trying to do the same thing for guys . They need permission to talk about it , '' said Lyke . As well as setting up stalls at beer festivals and organizing events in pubs , `` Pints for Prostates '' has run adverts in magazines and Lyke estimates its message has reached about 30 million people . A year after his own surgery , Lyke 's first granddaughter was born . He is aware that by being screened for prostate cancer he has vastly improved his chances of seeing her grow up , and he hopes that by encouraging other men to be tested he will give them a similar opportunity . He told CNN , `` I 'm hoping that there 's a whole bunch of other guys out there who 'll be able to experience the same thing [ as me ] -- see their families grow up and grow old . '' Mark Tutton contributed to this report .
Rick Lyke set up ` ` Pints for Prostates '' after being diagnosed with prostate cancer . The group travels to music festivals to educate men about the disease . Prostate cancer affects on in six million American men and screening is mandatory for men over 50 .