Deion Sanders sends strong message for men's health: "Stop acting like we all good. Let's be SURE"

Deion Sanders is trying to change the narrative when it comes to men's routine health screenings.

After surviving rounds of health scares in recent years, the 56-year-old Hall-of-Famer is taking things more seriously. He sent a powerful message urging other men to get on this level when it comes to making check ups a priority, especially when it comes to having a colonoscopy.

"Men, I need y'all to hear me CLEARLY," Sanders wrote in an Instagram post. "I had a COLONOSCOPY today & I was all good. I didn't want to but I needed to do it and so do you. Let's be PROACTIVE regarding our HEALTH & stop acting like we all good. Let's be SURE. Thank you @cubuffsfootball Trainer @laurenjaskevold for always being there. God bless u girl. #CoachPrime by the way that @snoopdogg they gave me was GOOOOOOT & I was out in 6seconds."

It's a myth that only people under fifty shouldn't be screened for colorectal cancer. The truth is that cases are on the rise in young adults, which is why American Cancer Society (ACS) is urging anyone under the age of 45 to get checked out when noticing symptoms. In early 2023, ACS reported that 20% of diagnoses in 2019 were in patients under age 55, which is about double the rate in 1995, and rates of advanced disease increased by about 3% annually in people younger than 50.

Sanders is using his platform to raise awareness of the importance of getting checked out. The hope is that more men will be inspired to throw on a gown and save their life or someone else's. It's become a bigger factor in the past two decades with colorectal cancer becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths in men.

The death of Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at the age of 43 was a wake up call for many in the Black community, who are at a higher risk for the disease. It also highlighted the cruel reality some are faced with in this country. The star of 'Black Panther' and '42' fought his condition over four years before his untimely passing.

It’s important to understand that cancer screenings save lives. If you are 45 or older and haven’t been screened, advocate for yourself or a family member. Talk to your primary care physician or healthcare provider.