The last thing many men consider — particularly as they enter middle age — is their own personal health. If you fall in that camp then Dr. Angelo Georges, chief of internal medicine at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, delivered a message Saturday during the inaugural “Blue Tie” event in Wheeling to raise awareness for prostate cancer that you might want to consider:

“What I’m asking the men, we’re a little stubborn — we’re getting better about going in for yearly check-ups — is just follow your trends, educate yourself,” Georges, the event’s keynote speaker who currently is battling prostate cancer himself, said.

Georges noted his own cancer diagnosis is being handled much better due to early detection. Without that early detection, things can turn out different — as they did for former Ohio State great the late Dimitrious Stanley, for whom the event was created.

“We’re trying to lift the stigma that surrounds prostate cancer and educate men and get them to be proactive about their health appointments and prevent the journey that my husband and I had to go on, prevent other families from having to go through the same thing,” Jessica Stanley, Dimitrious’ spouse, said.

Columbus-based Brave Men Inc. hosted the event in downtown Wheeling. More than 100 attended, with the local event coordinated by Crissy Clutter and Jasmine Green. All those involved — and all who attended — deserve much credit for bringing this important issue to the forefront.

If you’ve not seen your doctor recently, schedule a visit. Prevention is key.