Tomorrow begins our annual Movember campaign to raise awareness for men’s health issues. Locally we are calling it “Grow and Give.” It’s a month when men around the world put down their razors to spark conversations about important health topics like prostate cancer. Our offices are also collecting donations for ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer.
Over the past 35 years we have witnessed great progress around increasing breast cancer awareness. As physicians, we are nothing short of pleased with the results. Years of campaigning and promotion have led to lower rates of breast cancer through early detection. We hope someday to make the same strides with prostate cancer.
Movember is about changing mindsets more than appearances.
Prostate cancer is highly curable if caught early. Unfortunately, many men are still afraid or embarrassed to get an annual exam. But, talk to any man who has had one and he will tell you that it really wasn’t a big deal. All that’s involved is a simple blood test to check your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level and a digital rectal exam to check the size of your prostate. That part is painless and only takes about 15 seconds, despite what many men fear.
If you’re over 50 and haven’t had a prostate exam, the best way you can participate in Movember is to schedule one. You can make an appointment with one of our physicians or attend a free health screening that we are co-sponsoring this Friday. Here are the details:
When:
Friday, November 3, 2017
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location:
Mercy Health Corporate Office
1701 Mercy Health Pl.
Cincinnati, OH 45237
Click for more information.
If you’ve had your prostate checked, join Movember by letting your facial hair grow–or your head of hair if you’re already bearded-up! Friends and family may wonder about the sudden appearance of all that extra hair but you can use it as a springboard to talk about prostate cancer and help change the face of men’s health.
For more statistics on prostate cancer, click here.