CITY-WIDE MEN’S HEALTH DAY MAKES ACCESS TO SERVICES CONVENIENT

Prostate Cancer Screenings and Other Health Services Provided to Men Throughout the Community

(Baton Rouge, La.) Men in the Greater Baton Rouge area took proactive measures to protect their health by participating in a special City-Wide Men’s Health Day in September thanks to four community organizations. 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and McKinley Alumni Center, all in partnership with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center provided prostate screenings along with blood pressure and glucose checks at three different locations around town. “The focus of this event was to help men in our community learn more about how to prevent and detect some of their most pressing medical needs, including early detection of prostate cancer,” said Johnny Benjamin, the Cancer Center’s early detection and education director. “Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. The death rate is twice as high for African American men than any other group. We are honored to be able to collaborate with these community groups to help increase opportunities for care that provided a quick, convenient way for men to receive a number of medical services.” Following is an overview of screening statistics from the event:

• 95 men received health screenings
• 65 screenings for prostate cancer
• 30 colorectal kits were distributed
• 8 participants had abnormal findings detected from screenings and are currently being supported by a patient navigator for additional testing and follow-up care

This City-Wide Men’s Health Day took place at the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Alpha Center, Office of 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge and McKinley Alumni Center. In addition to the health services provided, food, door prizes and other activities were offered at all locations. All men screened for prostate cancer were entered to win a $100 gas card. The Cancer Center offers prevention and early detection services year round. For information on upcoming screenings, call (225) 215-1234 or visit marybirdlake.org. About the 100 The 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, LTD. is a non-profit organization through which African-American males step forward and assume roles of community leadership, responsibility and guidance. The organization serves as a catalyst to empower youth to individually and collectively reach their full potential by maximizing the resources that foster and enhance achievement in education, health and wellness, and economic and community development. For more information, visit www.100blackmenmetrobr.org. About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity The Alpha Enrichment Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has a mission to provide programs and resources which promote the educational, cultural, and personal development of youth in our community.  It provides programs and resources that enhance the well-being of senior citizens, while at the same time develop, implement, maintain, and assist various charitable programs and activities which contribute to the well-being of citizens, schools, and civic organizations within our area of operation. About McKinley Senior High School Alumni Association The McKinley Senior High School Alumni Association was founded in early 1982.  It is one of the oldest High School Alumni Association in the State of Louisiana and it represents the oldest African American public high school in the state. The school was founded in 1906, and in 1916 graduated 4 African American students, the first African American students to graduate from any public high school in Louisiana. The Association has more than 400 members. About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center As a premier destination for cancer care, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center offers the most advanced technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally-recognized oncology experts. MBP-OLOL provides best-practice, comprehensive care at every stage of the cancer journey, including disease site-specific multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program, extensive supportive care services and is the first facility in the Gulf South to offer  the revolutionary Leksell Gamma Knife®Icon™. The American College of Surgeons has named MBP-OLOL a recipient of its prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award for three consecutive survey cycles. As a nonprofit organization, donor generosity is essential to sustaining the mission of improving survivorship and lessening the burden of cancer for so many throughout Southeast Louisiana and beyond. For more information on MBP-OLOL, and how you can become involved, please visit marybirdlake.org.