Men's Health Month Highlights Wellness, Prevention, and Cancer Screening

Men's Health Month Highlights Wellness, Prevention, and Cancer Screening

Cancer Services Program screens people without insurance

Binghamton, NY (June 10, 2026) - June is Men's Health Month, a time to remind the men in our lives that their health matters, and so do they. This year, the Cancer Services Program wants to remind you that taking care of your health means more than seeking treatment when you're sick.

We want our fathers, brothers, sons, partners, friends, and neighbors around for the birthdays, backyard barbecues, graduations, holidays, and ordinary moments that mean everything. Taking care of your health is not a sign of weakness, but rather an investment in more time with the people who love and depend on you.

Every year in New York State, approximately 4,700 men hear the words, 'You have colorectal cancer.', and more than 1,400 lose their lives to this disease. Yet colorectal cancer is often preventable through screening, and when found early, is highly treatable. Adults at average risk should begin screening at age 45. Screening can detect precancerous polyps before they become cancerous and identify cancer early, when treatment is often most effective.

Men should also talk with their healthcare providers about prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in New York, and understanding your personal and family history can help you make informed decisions about screening. If cost or lack of insurance is preventing you from taking the next step, help is available through the CSP. Contact the CSP at 607-778-3900 to find out if you qualify for free cancer screening.

"For many men, fear, embarrassment, uncertainty, or the belief that they should simply 'tough it out' can become barriers to care," says Maggie Gareca Outreach coordinator for the Cancer Services Program (CSP). This Men's Health Month, let's change that. It's okay to ask questions, talk about your concerns, and admit when you're nervous. You don't have to navigate these decisions alone."

The CSP can help eligible uninsured and underinsured New Yorkers access colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic services. The program may also provide support and assistance to uninsured men who are facing a diagnosis of colorectal or prostate cancer, helping connect them with treatment resources and navigating the next steps in care.

This June, let's give men permission to put themselves on the to-do list. Start the conversation, ask the questions, and make a plan. The people who love you want you here, healthy and thriving, for all of life's moments still to come.

Men's health month PR 2026.docx