Free men's health screenings planned at Frederick Douglass Center

Education about blood pressure, prostate and colorectal cancer, and glucose tests will be part of a health fair at the Frederick Douglass Center.

The Frederick Douglass Community Center on Saturday will have free heath screenings for diseases that disproportionately affect African-American men.

The event will include education about blood pressure, prostate and colorectal cancer, and glucose tests.

“Stand By Your Man” features cancer survivors and other speakers, lunch, children’s art projects, and prizes, including tickets to a Toledo Mud Hens game and TARTA passes for all attendees. 

Robin Charney, community liaison for ProMedica Cancer Institute, said the event is meant to draw the entire family for a day of fun to encourage men who might be hesitant to otherwise see a doctor. 

African-American men have a higher rate of prostate cancer than other racial groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Lucas County, black men have higher rates of diabetes than other groups, according to the latest community health survey. 

Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the center, 1001 Indiana Ave., with lunch provided by Grandma’s House at noon, and health screenings beginning at 1 p.m.