Most people go to their barber for a grooming. But for Anthony Ellis, a visit to the barbershop means something more – an opportunity to take charge of his health.
Anthony was among the visitors to Webb’s Barbershop for this year’s Baton Rouge Barbershop Bash. Thanks to support from a three-year, $2.3 million grant from the United Health Foundation, Barbershop Bash events offer free cancer screenings for people from all backgrounds, regardless of insurance status. Focusing on colorectal and prostate cancer – the latter particularly pertinent, given September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month – they bring crucial screening services into the heart of the community all throughout Louisiana.
The Barbershop Bash is proving to be increasingly popular. This year’s Baton Rouge event saw 109 participants, a total of 173 screenings, including 80 colorectal and 93 prostate exams. Of the participants 44% were uninsured, 92% were African Americans, 48% had never been screened before, and 45% had no primary care physician.
Anthony is a prostate cancer survivor. His family’s history of cancer made him decide to get screened, and it was a decision that may well have saved his life.
“My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1990, and I started getting screenings done at the age of 38,” Anthony said. “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer myself in 2016, and my cancer was detected early because of regular screenings.”
One of Anthony’s messages – which he is particularly keen on reiterating – is not to be afraid of the prostate exam.
“The exam lasts only a few seconds,” he said. “Those few seconds—both for early detection and screenings—can save lives.”
This year’s most recent Barbershop Bash event took place at Skinners Barbershop in Morgan City. The event attracted 64 participants and provided 116 total screenings, including 56 colorectal and 60 prostate screenings. This event had 52% uninsured participants, 97% African Americans, and 60% without a primary care physician.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of early detection, while encouraging men to take proactive steps in their health journey. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with African American men, in particular, facing higher risks. Early detection through screenings is key in reducing mortality rates. Studies have shown that routine screenings can catch prostate cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Over the next three years, Mary Bird Perkins will reach an additional 4,500 individuals with prostate and colorectal cancer screenings and provide nearly 10,000 people with education on cancer risks and prevention.
Hope Jones, Mary Bird Perkins Bayou regional manager for early detection and education, expressed the importance of reaching out to the community.
“I have a history of cancer in my family, so if I can just be here in the community to educate someone and save one person, it’s all worth it for me,” Hope said.
Grassroots outreach, including the Barbershop Bash, is a cornerstone of Mary Bird Perkins’ mission to reduce disparities in cancer care. By partnering with trusted community members, these events bring essential health services directly to those who need them most, breaking down barriers to care.