BLACK TO LIFE – JOHN EDMOND

A leading entrepreneur and the developer behind such malls as the Edmond Town Center — as well as other commercial landmarks throughout historic West Las Vegas — John Edmond enjoys the success earned through hard work and dedication. He also realizes that no matter what he achieves in business, he cannot afford to take his health for granted.

“One day I was looking at the high insurance rate I was paying monthly for private insurance, because I am in business for myself,” he said. “I noticed how the rate went up, and for the last 10 years, I was paying on something I was not using. So, I went to get a physical checkup.”

According to the website www.4-men.org, African-American men are 60 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than whites — and twice as likely to die from it. “All men have what are known as receptor proteins — they are the receptors for the hormones that regulate male traits like facial hair and baldness,” said Dr. Jim Mohler of the Park Cancer Institute. “It has been discovered that African-American men have 22 percent higher levels of proteins in their prostate than whites, and 81 percent higher in those who have prostate cancers.”

Said Edmond: “I had my first prostate screening when I was 35 years of age — and now, at 61 years of age, I have one annually. I really recommend that black men get this done as early as 21 years old. The doctor might put a glove on — and now you can have a prostate screening with just a blood test.”

Healthy living advocates insist that maintaining great health is a conscious act, one that must be performed every day. Indeed, lifestyle and diet can dictate life span.

“The result of my physical indicated I had a main heart valve that was 90 percent closed — and if I never went for that physical checkup by my doctor, I would have had a heart attack, stroke or died. This is why I urge black men to get their checkups, watch their diets and get plenty of exercise. I love a good walk.”