State Rep. La Shawn Ford shares cancer story, encourages others to get screened
CHICAGO - State Representative La Shawn Ford is sharing his cancer story to encourage all men to get prostate cancer screenings.
Ford was diagnosed with cancer last year. Ford said he had asked for a screening, but his doctor told him it was not necessary because of his age.
He ended up getting it anyway and was diagnosed with cancer.
Ford is encouraging men, especially Black men, to talk with their doctors about prostate health.
"The cancer in the prostate does not have to be a death sentence. It's something that you can beat and I think that people should make sure they have a relationship with their doctor," he said.
Ford spoke Thursday at Northwestern Medicine, which is where he had surgery after the diagnosis.
He says after the surgery in January, he has felt great and is doing well.