By Matthew Jefferson
Round Table reporter

According to seer.cancer.gov, “It is estimated that 217,730 men will be diagnosed with and 32,050 men will die of prostate cancer in 2010.”

No one knows the cause of prostate cancer. However, it mainly affects painters, farmers, and the elderly. It may be due to the exposure to toxins in our food and environment.

There is no cure for prostate cancer. It is a slow growing cancer that affects older men. Surgery, medication, radiation therapy, and monitoring are some of the ways people can treat prostate cancer.

As a support for prostate cancer awareness, men are keeping their beards on their faces.

Some Middletown High School men are not shaving this month because they are supporting the cause and showing awareness.

MHS Assistant Principal Dan Mullins stated that “prostate cancer awareness started in 2003.”

Mullins supports the cause and does everything he can to stay fit and be healthy.

 “I try to drink a lot of cranberry juice and eat a lot of fiber.  Eating habits play a part in everything,” said Mullins.

Mullins said that “men should be checked normally by a doctor, and recognize their family histories.”

MHS senior Michael McClung has supported the awareness since 2009 and decided to continue to support it this year.

McClung doesn’t know much about prostate cancer, but he doesn’t “want to get it and wants it to be cured soon.”

He’ll continue to keep his beard on his face until Dec. 1 because “it’s ridiculously itchy.”