September is the Awareness Month for Leukemia, Lymphoma, Ovarian, Prostate, Thyroid, Gynecologic, and Childhood Cancer

Matt Brooks: Good morning, I’m Matt Brooks on X101 Always Classic, in for another edition of the Cancer Prevention Segment with the CSP Program of Cayuga, Cortland, and Tompkins Counties. Joining me back in the studio is Courtney Maxson, Senior Public Health Educator from the Cortland County Health Department. School is right around the corner, and it’s still hard to process that.

Courtney Maxson: It really is. Where did summer go?

Matt Brooks: I think the official ending was just last month with the community beach party. That was the end of summer.

Courtney Maxson: And what a great time that was.

Matt Brooks: It was a great time. We have things still to look forward to as we head into the final stretch of 2026, but it’s back-to-school season and we want to take a moment to talk about the importance of making sure your children are going to see the doctor for the regular stuff.

Courtney Maxson: Yes, definitely. Moms, dads, guardians: have the kids be seen by their primary care physician or pediatrician, and get those well visits done.

Matt Brooks: It’s important, especially at younger ages, to establish that habit so that as they grow up, they keep going to the doctor. Conveniently timed, It is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, which you never want to think about, but it does happen.

Courtney Maxson: Absolutely. We don’t want to think about it, but having the information to prevent it—and if your child is having an issue or you think something’s not quite right—go have it checked out.

Matt Brooks: That’s the thing: you want to make sure your children have a trusting relationship with their doctor so they can bring up anything. That one thing that feels off could be worse than they think, and it’s important to establish that relationship to get it taken care of.

Courtney Maxson: Absolutely. Having those yearly well visits is important, along with being fully vaccinated.

Matt Brooks: Right. Let’s talk about some other awareness months going on this month, because there is quite a list. There’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, as well as ovarian, prostate, thyroid, and gynecologic. We were talking about this before we went on air, but for a lot of these, you just keep up, make sure to go to your doctor if anything feels off. There isn’t a specific routine screening for most, except for prostate, correct?

Courtney Maxson: Yes, prostate does have a specific screening for men that typically starts around 50. If men are at higher risk, screening can start in their 40s. Most of the time, a simple blood test can detect issues with the prostate.

Matt Brooks: Yeah, a blood test isn’t hard to do. You’re doing no work—you just put your arm there, they take the blood, and it’s a really important test to take.

Courtney Maxson: Absolutely. And with gynecological cancers, having your cervical screenings at regular intervals is important too. Just know your body, and if something doesn’t seem quite right, don’t hesitate—go to your doctor.

Matt Brooks: One last thing regarding prostate cancer: if someone receives a positive test, there are programs they can apply for if they don’t have health insurance.

Courtney Maxson: Right. If someone is diagnosed with prostate cancer and doesn’t have health insurance, they can come through our Cancer Services Program to fill out an application for the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program. This program provides cancer treatment coverage for the duration of treatment for prostate, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers for individuals without insurance. So if you ever find yourself in that position, contact me.

Matt Brooks: Contact Courtney for any questions, really, especially in the world of cancer, screening, and treatment options. So Courtney, as we wrap up this month’s segment, how can listeners get in touch with you?

Courtney Maxson: Give me a call at 607-758-5523.

Matt Brooks: Any website they should check out as well?

Courtney Maxson: You can visit our Cortland County Health Department website, and we can get you directed to where you need to be.

Matt Brooks: All righty. Well, that’s another Cancer Prevention Segment. Next time around, we’ll be carving pumpkins—hard to believe!

Courtney Maxson: Can’t wait!

Matt Brooks: This has been another Cancer Prevention Segment with the CSP Program of Cayuga, Cortland, and Tompkins Counties. I’m Matt Brooks.