Discussions focus on better men’s health – prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health
WHAT: Participants will take a MO-ment at Near North Health (NNH), one of the oldest providers of community-based primary health care in Chicago, to learn about men’s health issues from leading experts, visit with representatives from rom Aetna Better Health® of Illinois, learn about healthy eating from live cooking demonstrations from Common Threads, and get a haircut from a barber. Aetna and Northwestern Medicine are sponsoring the event to bring health providers to the community.
“Movember” is a movement where men will grow a “MO” or moustache during November to spark conversations around men’s health, particularly in the areas of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention all to keep men from dying before their time.
WHEN: Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Vendor Fair
- Herb’s Barber Shop – free men’s haircuts
- Common Threads – healthy Cooking information
3:30 p.m. Cooking demonstration from Common Threads: healthy stir fry
4:00 p.m. Townhall discussion on men’s health
By appointment: prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings
WHERE: NNH North Kostner Health Center, 1520 N. Kostner Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651
WHO: Rep. La Shawn Ford, Illinois State Representative, 8th District – prostate cancer survivor
Dr. Nelson Bennett, Jr., MD, Urology at Polsky Urologic Cancer Institute of Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine
Michael “Muffy” Collins, founder of Run from Prostate Cancer
Brian Tucker, Begin Again Chicago Life Coaching
Dr. Daniel Vicencio, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Near North Health
WHY: During Movember throughout the month of November, the focus is on raising awareness and improving men’s health, highlighting the importance of regular health screenings that include screening for prostate and testicular cancer, and focusing on men’s mental health. Men grow a “MO” or moustache to change the face of men’s health. Having open, honest discussions about men’s physical and mental health and routine care can prevent premature death and longer, healthier lives.
Rep. La Shawn Ford was only 48 when he requested a prostate cancer screening and was told he was too young. As a Black man, Rep. Ford knew he had a higher risk of being diagnosed with and dying from prostate cancer than other men. After he advocated for himself, early detection and treatment of an aggressive form of prostate cancer at Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine saved his life.
“Mainstream science, like the United States Preventive Services Task Force, recommends that men should wait until they are 55 to discuss screening for prostate cancer with their doctor. The Task Force also says there isn’t enough scientific evidence to make a separate, specific recommendation on prostate specific antigen-based screening for prostate cancer in Black men. That isn’t good enough,” states Representative Ford.
Rep. Ford publicly announced his recovery in June 2021 and has been bringing attention to this health disparity among Black men.
Prostate cancer: Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. Approximately one man in eight will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer.
Black men have higher rates of prostate cancer than their white male counterparts with one in six Black men developing prostate cancer in their lifetime. They are 70% more likely to develop the disease in their lifetime, and twice as likely to die from it. They are less likely to have PSA testing and screening for prostate cancer, while also experiencing longer delays between diagnosis and treatment.
Black men should go in for PSA screenings starting at 45 (as opposed to the recommended 55) to detect prostate cancer early and maximize the effectiveness of treatment. When caught early, more than 99% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will be alive in five years. There are more than 3 million prostate cancer survivors in the United States.
About Near North Health
Near North Health is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and one of the oldest providers of community-based primary health care in Chicago. NNH provides medical services, social services, and nutrition education to uninsured and underinsured individuals and families. The NNH philosophy reflects a commitment to providing access to innovative healthcare no matter where one comes from, what they look like or how long it’s been since they last saw a doctor. Additional information about NNH’s mission and services is available at www.nearnorthhealth.org.
About Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
As a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University is translating discoveries into new possibilities — offering the newest, most effective treatments through clinical trials, sharing vital education and services in the larger community, and providing state-of-the art cancer services and ongoing support to patients and families across Northwestern Medicine. Learn more about our impact at cancer.northwestern.edu.
About Aetna Medicaid
Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of under-resourced populations, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com.
About Common Threads
Common Threads is a national non-profit that supports food as medicine. We inspire communities to embrace healthy cooking, healthy eating and the celebration of culture by providing children, families and educators with hands-on cooking and nutrition education classes. In Chicago, Common Threads runs cooking and nutrition education programs across the city in partnership with schools, community-based organizations, local farmers markets, healthcare facilities and more. Learn more at https://www.commonthreads.org/about/
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lisa Ripson
Ripson Group
(312) 493-5921 (o)
(312) 952-7394 (m)
Twitter: @LisaRipson
Chris Comes
Ripson Group
(312) 493-5921 (o)
(312) 282-0539 (m)
Twitter: @ChrisComes