Cumberland Co. barbers may improve clients’ health

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (AP) — Barbers in Cumberland County are
helping clients stay healthy by talking with them about the risks
of prostate cancer.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Wednesday that the
organization Healthy Carolinians of Cumberland County is training
dozens of barbers to offer health advice along with a shave and a
haircut.

Healthy Carolinians spokeswoman Lonnie Sessoms says men tend to
be open to discussing personal matters with their barbers. She says
the trained hairdressers will tell clients about prostate cancer
symptoms and where to go for low-cost testing.

Cumberland County is one of seven counties in the state where
prostate rates are above the national average. About 1 out of 10
men diagnosed with the disease will die from it. Sessoms says early
detection can reduce those fatality numbers.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)