Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams and Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion Dorsey Levens are teaming up with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Network for Green Gold & Growing, a prostate cancer public awareness campaign. The initiative kicked off Tuesday, when Adams and Levens shaved their facial hair to get a "clean start" before challenging men to join them in growing out their facial hair throughout the month of November.
"Each one of us plays an important part in the fight against prostate cancer," said William See, MD, urologic oncologist and prostate cancer specialist with the Cancer Network. "Talk with your doctor. Find out if and when a prostate cancer screening makes sense for you. Screening is safe and painless and can detect prostate cancer early, when it is most treatable. And if screening shows you may have prostate cancer, it’s important to talk with a prostate cancer specialist who can help you evaluate your options and make the choice that’s right for you."
The public is encouraged to get creative in helping raise awareness about the importance of early detection of prostate cancer. People can submit individual or group photos of their own facial hair growth on Facebook at facebook.com/GreenGoldGrowing. People who prefer not to or are unable to grow facial hair are encouraged to submit individual or group photos showing "fake" facial hair. At the end of the campaign, one submission will be randomly selected with the winner receiving a chance to meet Adams at a private experience later this year.
"Really looking forward to being a part of this great campaign that is raising awareness of a cancer that affects so many men," said Adams. "I have never let my facial hair grow out but with the cold weather coming the timing is perfect! It will be nice to have a little extra protection against the cold while I am running around the frozen tundra!"
"I am very excited to be a part of such a great campaign back in the great state of Wisconsin," Levens said. "Especially one that spreads awareness of a cancer that affects so many people, especially middle aged African-American men. Growing out my facial hair for the month should be interesting. I’m going to give Davante a serious run for it!"
"Davante and Dorsey are leaders on and off of the field," Dr. See said. "We’re so pleased they are lending their support to this important initiative."
Approximately one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, with African-American men more than twice as likely to die from the disease. If found early, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer; yet, it is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men – nearly 30,000 lose their lives to the disease each year.
Dr. See encourages every man to talk with his physician about prostate cancer screening and to know that options are available when seeking care if diagnosed with the disease.
Men at average risk of prostate cancer should talk with their doctors about screening starting at age 50. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African-American men should have this chat with a doctor beginning at age 45. And if a man has more than one first-degree relative who has had prostate cancer younger than age 65, that talk should occur at age 40.
Typically, prostate cancer advances slowly, giving men time to find a physician and treatment that best meets their needs. Seeking a second opinion if you have a prostate cancer diagnosis can be very valuable, Dr. See added. "Many physicians refer to urologists within their own health care systems. However, these urologists may not focus exclusively on prostate and urologic cancers, or may not have access to clinical trials which offer hope for many men."
