Depend® partners with Emmitt Smith to promote men’s health during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and many experience bladder leaks because of the disease. Despite a 99.9% survival rate when detected early, many men hesitate to seek screenings due to the stigmas and misconceptions surrounding the condition and its side effects. Depend®, through its fifth annual Stand Strong for Men’s Health™ initiative, aims to break down these barriers and encourage men to take proactive steps for their health. The campaign supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), which funds research and treatment advancements.

In honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Depend® has partnered with Emmitt Smith, former football star and all-time rushing leader, to further the initiative. Smith, who has been active in philanthropy, has a personal connection to the issue — his late father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This fall, he is leveraging his platform to promote open discussions about men’s health and encourage more men to undergo screenings.

 

“It’s so easy to avoid medical checkups and preventative care, but confronting these issues head-on is the ultimate display of strength”, said Smith. “I’ve experienced the impact that this disease has on families, which is why I’m taking part in the Depend Stand Strong for Men’s Health campaign, to encourage others to prioritize their health and get screened”.

One of the most effective early detection methods is a simple blood test measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein released into the bloodstream that can indicate prostate cancer in its early stages, when treatment is more effective.

Since the campaign’s inception in 2020, Depend has donated over US$1 million to the PCF. The initiative helps fund crucial research that contributes to better treatments for prostate cancer. From Prostate Cancer Awareness Month through November’s Men’s Health Awareness Month, Depend will donate up to US$300,000 from select product sales to further support PCF’s mission.

Research funded by PCF has led to innovations in prostate cancer evaluation and treatment, including the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET scan. This advanced imaging technology allows physicians to detect prostate cancer earlier and in smaller amounts compared to traditional methods. PSMA-based treatments can also deliver targeted radiation to advanced prostate cancer cells, offering new hope for patients with specific cancer types.