Man UP! event offers free prostate cancer screenings

Rickey Jackson, along with several other New Orleans Saints legends, is partnering with Tulane Health System for a second year to raise awareness of prostate cancer and provide free PSA screenings to any eligible men.

The “Man Up! – Geaux Get Screened” event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 9, in Tulane Medical Center’s main lobby from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

In addition to the free screening – a quick blood draw that can help determine one’s risk of prostate cancer – participants will have the opportunity to meet and have pictures taken with former NFL players and to hear Jackson’s personal testimony about his prostate cancer diagnosis and recovery.

“We were able to screen more than 100 men at least year’s event, and we hope to see even more this time.”

Dr. Raju Thomas, chair of the Department of Urology at Tulane Health System

“We want to kick off the NFL season by doing something that can have a real, positive impact on our community,” said Jackson. “The guys I played with know what I faced with my cancer diagnosis, and they were more than willing to help raise awareness and get men to a screening.”

The event will also feature games and prizes for kids, as well as other health information provided by Tulane experts. Participants who receive a PSA screening will also be eligible to win memorabilia signed by former NFL players.

“We are excited we can offer men this quick and relatively painless blood test called a PSA to screen for prostate cancer,” said Dr. Raju Thomas, chair of the Department of Urology at Tulane Health System. “PSA screening is used to pinpoint patients that may be harboring cancer or other conditions such as an enlarged prostate.

“We were able to screen more than 100 men at least year’s event, and we hope to see even more this time.”