I've been trying to creep up on this issue slowly, but time is running out. It's time for us to MAN UP! Our neighborhoods are falling apart, the incarceration rate is astronomical, the family is breaking up, the high school drop-out rate is ridiculous and on and on and on. But what are YOU doing? I know, now that you have your college degree (or not), it isn't your responsibility, or maybe you're a family man, so you're busy training your own children or maybe you do actually have a mentee and feel your doing your part. But something we all need to be, is here. We have to be here.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in African-American men, who also have the highest mortality rate from prostate cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. One in every six men in America will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. One in every three African-American men will be diagnosed.
The American Cancer Society recommends that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years. African-American men and men with a strong family history of one or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age should begin testing at age 45.
The American Cancer Society recommends that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years. African-American men and men with a strong family history of one or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age should begin testing at age 45.
While The American Cancer Society means well, I knew someone well under 45 (32 - 36), newly married with two young children. One of the last things he told a friend was that he was so upset because it's so preventable if you catch it early. Soon after that conversation, he passed.
WE HAVE TO GO GET CHECKED NOW! GO GET THE FINGER IN the BOOTY! There, I said it. We have to go get the F.I.B. From my understanding, there is no way around it and don't take NO for an answer from your doctor.
Click here to read about Charlie Wilson's battle with prostate cancer. Can you imagine if there was no more: "You dropped a bomb on me", "Oops Upside Your Head", "Burn Rubber On Me", "Outstanding", "Yearning For Your Love", "First Name Charlie, Last Name Wilson", etc.
The future needs us.
WE HAVE TO GO GET CHECKED NOW. GO GET THE FINGER IN the BOOTY! There, I said it. We have to go get the F.I.B.
If you've had the test, shed some light on us. The only thing I ask is that you don't scare us and don't tell us if you were smiling on your way out of the doctors office.
Check the next blog for my proposal.
WE HAVE TO GO GET CHECKED NOW! GO GET THE FINGER IN the BOOTY! There, I said it. We have to go get the F.I.B. From my understanding, there is no way around it and don't take NO for an answer from your doctor.
Click here to read about Charlie Wilson's battle with prostate cancer. Can you imagine if there was no more: "You dropped a bomb on me", "Oops Upside Your Head", "Burn Rubber On Me", "Outstanding", "Yearning For Your Love", "First Name Charlie, Last Name Wilson", etc.
The future needs us.
WE HAVE TO GO GET CHECKED NOW. GO GET THE FINGER IN the BOOTY! There, I said it. We have to go get the F.I.B.
If you've had the test, shed some light on us. The only thing I ask is that you don't scare us and don't tell us if you were smiling on your way out of the doctors office.
Check the next blog for my proposal.
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While I think it's important to get the prostate checked out, I think it's equally important to get these same at risk men to the doctor's office in the first place. I don't know what the statistics are regarding how many African American men regulary visit their doctor and how that varies with insurance vs. no insurance. I know a few men who won't go the doctors unless they have to. Maybe they'll have to start with a simple visit for a weigh-in, height check, and lollipop before advancing to a prostate exam. -Reg
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