Brad Garrett Promotes Cancer Research by Getting a Prostate Exam On-Air
Sept. 8, 2008
Jessica Haro--Assistant Editor, Hispanic Business
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Brad Garrett of Everybody Loves Raymond received a prostate exam on-air last Friday to show men that such a procedure doesn't have to be embarrassing, and in fact, can save lives.
Mr. Garrett's unusual 'performance' took place as part of the "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon to benefit an organization of the same name. The program was created to "establish and support a focused and intense effort to effect [medical] advances as rapidly as possible," according to the founders. Since it was introduced in May, the organization has raised more than $100 million, including the money raised during the telethon.
Mr. Garrett told reporters he was "honored to be asked to participate, and a humorous skit about a prostate exam to heighten awareness and prevention was right up my alley. No pun intended."
The telethon, simulcast on ABC, CBS, NBC, and E! Entertainment, was hosted by news anchors Katie Couric, Charles Gibson and Brian Williams, and featured more than 100 celebrities, including performances by James Taylor, Sheryl Crow and Josh Groban.
In addition to raising funds for Stand Up to Cancer, the event was designed to educate the public on cancer prevention and treatment, reminding the audience that cancer kills 550,000 Americans and six million people worldwide each year.
Stand Up to Cancer is hoping Mr. Garrett's skit will increase the amount of people seeking prostate exams in the same way the broadcast of Katie Couric's colonoscopy led to a 20 percent increase in the amount of colonoscopies performed in the United States.
The American Cancer Society sites colorectal cancer as the third most common cancer among U.S. Hispanics, and the third leading cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women. They also site prostate cancer is the second deadliest cancer among Hispanic men. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, over the past decade, there has been an increase of colorectal cancer cases among Hispanics, and a decrease in the age at which they are diagnosed. Though the mortality rate has decreased, Hispanics are still more likely to die from colorectal cancer than Non-Hispanics.
According to American Cancer Society, cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanic adults.
Source: HispanicBusiness.com (c) 2008. All rights reserved.
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