As a cancer survivor, early detection is an important topic for me. During Super Bowl Week, I had the opportunity to attend the NFL’s Crucial Catch event, sponsored by Sleep Number. The topic that evening happened to be around men’s health and prostate cancer. Being a woman doesn’t remove me from this audience. There are men in my life that I care about, and I have a platform where I can share this important message.
NFL Crucial Catch
The panel included Brian Custer (moderator) 2x Emmy Award-winning Sportscaster & prostate cancer survivor, Dr. Robert Winn, American Cancer Society board member and the second Black physician to lead an NCI-designated cancer center, Mike Haynes, Pro Football Hall of Famer and prostate cancer survivor, Rashad Jennings, Former New York Giants running back and health advocate, William Gholston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end and American Cancer Society Player Ambassador of the Year, and Brandon Bolden, Las Vegas Raiders running back, cancer survivor, and American Cancer Society Player Ambassador.
Brian Custer, as moderator, kicked off the discussion by sharing the latest statistics around men’s health and prostate cancer. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. That statistic becomes 1 in 6 men when we’re talking about men of color. The risk of prostate cancer risk is higher in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races, according to the American Cancer Society. Regardless of your ethnicity, the key message of the evening was about early detection.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and is highly treatable. There is a near 100% survival rate if it remains localized and is treated early. In this roundtable discussion, we learned that men aren’t so open when talking about their health symptoms. This is especially true when it involves topics that might be considered embarrassing. The panelists were all united in trying to normalize the discussion around men’s health, particularly prostate cancer. Being open with friends and family members about symptoms you might be experiencing opens the door for them to share their own experiences.
Find Out If You’re At Risk
“There’s no sure way to prevent cancer, but you can go on the offense with regular screening and lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk.” – Crucial Catch.
The American Cancer Society and Crucial Catch have partnered to create a cancer risk assessment quiz. This quiz is for everybody. It’s been one year since I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection saved my life, and if not my life, it saved me from a much more arduous and painful treatment plan. Make your appointments today. Don’t wait. And don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to talk about it. I’m here for you!