HAMPTON, Va. — The Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute hosted a men's health fair on Saturday, offering prostate cancer PSA blood tests, health screenings, and resources aimed at encouraging early detection.
Norman Ceasar, a prostate cancer survivor, participated as a vendor at the event to share his story and motivate other men to get screened.
"I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 52. And we caught it very early," Ceasar said.
Ceasar credited that early detection with saving his life and urged men not to hesitate when it comes to screening.
"This saved my life. So, it's nothing to be afraid of. So I want to educate men, just do it. Go get screened. You only have to get a PSA, the blood test," Ceasar said.
In addition to PSA blood tests, attendees had access to a wide range of health services and information at the fair.
Samuel Hicks, who attended the event, said the variety of resources available made a real impact.
"It's a great event. I mean, you have a lot of vendors in here. Skin cancer, prostate cancer, back, neck. I have something going on with my back that I didn't know, so now I know," Hicks said.
Hicks brought his stepson to the fair to demonstrate the importance of staying on top of one's health — and to pass that lesson down through generations.
"Because he has a son, he needs to teach his son. And his son needs to teach his son, so that's why I brought him alongside with me," Hicks said.
Dr. Allan Thornton, a radiation oncologist at the Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute, said the most common misconception about prostate cancer is that a diagnosis is a death sentence.
"This is a very easily treatable disease. There's very, often times, minimally invasive procedures that are required. It's a simple blood test to detect it, and it makes a big big difference in the cure rate to determine it early," Thornton said.
For survivors like Ceasar, that message is personal.
"Just get screened, go in, get the PSA like I did, and you can live your best life," Ceasar said.
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