Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will host its inaugural “Barbershop Bash” event on Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Webb’s Barbershop (401 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive) in Baton Rouge. This no-cost community screening event will offer educational resources on prevention and early detection as well as screenings for prostate and colorectal cancer. There will also be free food, music, and activities for children.
While appointments are encouraged, walk-in screenings are available. To make an appointment, call (225) 425-8034 or visit pogo.marybird.com.
“We are so proud to host this important event in partnership with Webb’s Barbershop, which has been a fixture in Baton Rouge for decades,” said Renea Duffin, vice president, cancer support and outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “We encourage everyone to come out and take advantage of these life-saving cancer screenings. We know that early detection is incredibly important when it comes to treating cancer and improving health outcomes. This event could literally save your life.”
Mary Bird Perkins is hosting the Barbershop Bash to raise awareness of the dangers of prostate cancer and colorectal cancer and highlight the importance of getting screened, especially among African American men.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer diagnoses for men, with roughly one in eight men diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer is also one of the most common cancers in both men and women. The five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 91% if detected early. However, only 38% of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center works with community partners to offer screening events in various settings, including barbershops. Barbershop owners are often seen as trusted messengers in their communities, with their barbershops serving as open discussion forums where men can discuss life and challenges, including health-related issues, among their peers. For Mary Bird Perkins, it’s about reaching men where they are.
This event is offered at no cost to the community thanks to the generous support of the United Health Foundation. In 2023, the Foundation announced a three-year grant partnership with the Cancer Center to help increase access to prostate and colorectal cancer education, screening, and support for historically underserved populations across Louisiana.
Other partners for this event include the Louisiana Department of Health, CareSouth, and Alpha Phi Alpha.
For more information about this event or to learn more about other upcoming Barbershop Bash events, visit marybird.org/barbershopbash.