Men in Cochrane are invited to make to combat and get checked for prostate cancer by making a stop at The MAN VAN on January 20.
From noon to 4 p.m., men ages 40 to 80 can visit The MAN VAN at the SLS Centre for a free baseline Prostate Specific Antigen blood test. All visits will be free and no bookings are required.
Rotarian, Alex Baum, said Cochrane Rotary was involved in brining The MAN VAN to town due to a request from a member of the Cochrane’s Men Bonspiel.
“Part of it was they wanted to bring in The MAN VAN, and they were looking for support to help bring the van in,” Baum said. “And so, our Rotary Club along with the Lions Club said, you know what, we want to be part of that.”
Baum said prostate cancer is something that men should consider in their overall health.
“A little bit of prevention, in a lot of cases, would’ve side stepped the inevitable,” Baum said. “It’s just one of those things that seems like a no-brainer, but yet us guys are just reluctant to go see The MAN VAN or even go see a doctor, for the most part.”
In his personal opinion, Baum said prostate cancer awareness in Cochrane is something that should be discussed and addressed more.
“I could answer for myself, but one of the interesting stats I found out is this – it was that 72 per cent of men would do household chores than go see the doctor,” Baum said. “And so, you start looking at the reasons why we are that way, and some of it is convenience, but the other is typically we don’t go unless there’s something wrong.”
Baum said that all male Rotarians in Cochrane saved the date on their calendars and made it a priority to get checked.
“And you know, if nobody gets diagnosed with early indicators, great, but how good would it be for The MAN VAN, in a four-hour period to find one or two people that would otherwise not known,” Baum said.
Baum said he would like to tip his hat to the Cochrane Men’s Bonspiel for brining forward the idea of hosting The MAN VAN in Cochrane.
“Now it’s up to each one of us to respond in the right way,” Baum said.
