McMinnville Electric System sold 38 dozen giant blueberry muffins during Mo-vember. Proceeds go to Warren County Relay for Life and continued cancer research.
Debbie Sain, manager of marketing and communications, says while MES women baked for a good cause, MES men showed their support in other ways.
“MES gentlemen went all out, sporting facial hair and observing No-Shave November or Mo-vember,” said Sain.
No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting facial hair grow wild and free during the month.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, after skin cancer. It is estimated there were roughly 180,890 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2016. Nearly 1-in-7 men will develop prostate cancer. However, it is usually diagnosed after age 40.
“McMinnville Electric System general manager Rodney Boyd is now three years cancer free,” said Sain. “We know many suffer from this dreaded disease. Research is key to finding a cure. Thank you all for participating in our campaigns as well as the many other folks who fundraise throughout the year.”
Some common risk factors for prostate cancer include:
Race: Studies show African American men are approximately 60 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian or Hispanic men.
Age: The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. While only 1-in-10,000 men under age 40 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, 1-in-15 men in their 60s will be diagnosed with the disease.
Family history: Men with an immediate blood relative, such as a father or brother, who has or had prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease. If there is another family member diagnosed with the disease, the chances of getting prostate cancer increase.
Diet: A diet high in saturated fat, as well as obesity, increases the risk of prostate cancer.
High testosterone levels: Men who use testosterone therapy are more likely to develop prostate cancer, as an increase in testosterone stimulates the growth of the prostate gland.
For more information about American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org. McMinnville Electric System can be reached at 473-3144.