ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Health leaders used Father’s Day weekend to encourage men to prioritize their well-being. Phoebe hosted a free health fair in Albany, offering screenings and resources aimed at early detection and prevention.

Phoebe partnered with Albany State to provide free health screenings for men in the community.

“Well, as men, we tend to put a focus on everything else besides ourselves. And we’re starting to realize that that is not good. That is important for us at Phoebe and for the community because it brings people out to get free health screenings, to learn about different health issues that they could be having.”

Prostate cancer screenings offered

According to the CDC, about 13 out of every 100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men.

Community member Sterling Hunter encouraged other men to get tested.

“You got to think about it. Everybody has a family and nobody wants to lose their loved ones when it comes to men. Just come in. Not only are we checking for prostate cancer, we’re also checking for high blood pressure. So we’re checking blood pressures and, you know, anything that we can do to make sure that you’re staying healthy and you’re around for years to come with your family,”

Along with the cancer screenings, the fair offered blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, HIV and syphilis testing.

Heard said the event helps break the stigma around men’s health while building trust in the community.

“Oh, listen, we enjoy doing this every year. It does my heart good to see so many men coming out to get access to some education about health, because health education is important. When you know better, you can do better. And so coming out, having access to these providers and to all these different services that are available in our community certainly are going to be helpful."

Medical professionals stressed that early detection is key for a better outcome. Organizers hope the free screenings encourage more men to make their health a priority.

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