National Men's Health Awareness Month

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Prioritize Your Prostate

For Men's Health Month

This June, Healthcare Centers around the nation celebrate Men’s Health Month. By highlighting different medical issues men face, the goal is to encourage them to see a health professional for regular checkups, not just when something goes wrong. While preventive care may be easy to ignore, it is crucial for living a long and healthy life.

This year, WFHC is highlighting prostate health. Did you know 44% of men cannot locate their prostate and 74% are not sure what it does? It is important for anyone who has a prostate (men, women, and nonbinary folks) to understand the prostate's role and health risks.

Located just below the bladder, the prostate is a rubbery gland the size of a walnut that is essential for ejaculation and reproduction. Typically, around the age of 40, the prostate expands to the size of an apple due to how the body reacts to various hormones, including testosterone. While this growth does not necessarily indicate a problem, more than 1/3 of men experience symptoms of prostate enlargement.

» Symptoms: Due to its proximity to the bladder, the most common sign of prostate issues is difficulty passing urine. Symptoms include a weak flow, intermittently, hesitancy, higher frequency, urgency, and having to get up at night to urinate.

» Conditions: While prostate enlargement is a common phenomenon associated with aging, prostatitis can affect people of any age. In this condition, the prostate becomes inflamed and can be treated by a combination of medications. The most lethal condition is prostate cancer, the predominant form of cancer for men. While the causes of this type of cancer are unknown, it normally progresses very slowly, allowing for early detection. If caught early treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy.

» Tests: If you have any symptoms ask your GP to conduct a prostate examination. After feeling the size and shape of your prostate, your doctor might recommend a blood test to measure Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). A high level of PSA can confirm if the symptoms are connected to your prostate

Health Services for Men at WFHC:

WFHC has been keeping men healthy for over 20 years! While the clinic launched its pediatric program in the 90s, health services for adult men were first offered in 2000. Since then, our medical services have expanded drastically to meet the needs of our community.

Our men's health services include:

» Cancer Screenings

» Family Planning Including Male Infertility Screenings & Vasectomy Procedures

» Management of Chronic Health Conditions

» Physical Exams

» STI Testing

» Safe Sex Education

» Referral to In-House Mental Health Services

» Referrals to In-House Dental Services

» COVID-19 Testing & Vaccinations

» Preventive Care & More

Schedule Your Men's Wellness Visit Here

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!

Why is it called Pride? For the LGBTQIA+ community, the word “pride” represents solidarity, collectivity, and identity as well as resistance to discrimination and violence. Pride Month celebrates LGBTQIA+ culture, achievements, and activism.

What is the Pride Symbol? The rainbow flag is a symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride. The colors reflect the community's diversity and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender.

WFHC Team Member of the Month: Juan Kantun

Congratulations to Juan, our outstanding Medical Assistant, who has been an integral part of the Westside Family Health Center team for over a year.

Juan's dedication to patients and his passion for the medical field are evident in his daily interactions. As a medical assistant, Juan is at the forefront of patient care, ensuring each visit is smooth and each patient feels valued and cared for. His enthusiasm and commitment to making a positive impact resonate throughout the clinic, creating a supportive and uplifting environment for patients and colleagues.

"The medical field is a constant learning experience for medical assistants like me. I am grateful and proud to be part of the medical team here at Westside Family Health Center making a difference, one patient at a time. Life is better when you're wearing scrubs and positively changing lives," Juan shared.

We are proud to have Juan as part of our team and look forward to seeing his continued growth and contributions at WFHC. Thank you, Juan, for your unwavering dedication and for making a difference, one patient at a time.

Message from Debra Farmer, WFHC President & CEO

“You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward. Just take the first step.” – Unknown

Too often we believe we have to know everything to move forward in our life – did I study hard enough? Did I learn everything I need to know? What if I fail? What if I make a mistake? What if people laugh at me? So, what if they do? Is that going to stop you from taking that first step towards something you want? Something that you dreamed of doing or becoming? Something that will make you happy?

You have the power, my friends. You can make things happen for you and your family. Look around you. We work with people who have reached for the stars and are continuing to grow. There are times that maybe they didn’t have the self-confidence they needed, but others knew it was there. We simply had to encourage it. Never be embarrassed or ashamed or shy to let others know what you want in life – this year, five years, or 10 years from now. People can and will mentor and help you if you ask.

Breathe,

Deb Farmer

Get Your Tickets for WFHC's 50th Birthday Party!

Join us as we honor five decades of advancing health equity and serving our community with dedication and compassion. This is your chance to be part of an unforgettable night at Sony Pictures Studio filled with entertainment, great food, and community. Tickets are now available for purchase.

Buy Your Tickets Here

Join Our HIV Program Now!

We're accepting participants for our HIV Risk/Reduction program, designed to educate men who have sex with men about HIV. Through 3 over-the-phone sessions, we talk about best practices for protection, offer resources for free at-home test kits, and discuss how to access PrEp/PEP. Upon completion, participants will receive a total of $90 in gift cards. Interested? Call (310) 450-2191 ext. 246 or 247

We deserve more than to live in a country where firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. But as incidents of gun violence have grown, so too has the movement to stop it. By participating in Wear Orange, you are part of a movement advocating for safer communities. Together we can build a future free from gun violence.

Learn More Here

May's Poll Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in last month's poll! Check out your answers below, and don’t forget to answer our May trivia question.

What Spring vegetable is known for its high vitamin C content and is often associated with May? The correct answer is Asparagus. Known for its rich vitamins and minerals, asparagus was historically used for medicinal purposes and believed to be beneficial for toothaches, heart conditions, and even bee stings.

June Trivia Question

What is the recommended daily intake of water for an average adult?

0.5 liters (17 ounces) for both men and women

1 liter (34 ounces) for both men and women

2.7 liters (91 ounces) for women and 3.7 liters (125 ounces) for men

5 liters (170 ounces) for women and 6 liters (200 ounces) for men

8 liters (270 ounces) for women and 10 liters (340 ounces) for men

Make An Ongoing Impact

As our community continues to grow, WFHC remains committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care for everyone who seeks our services.

Your gift helps make this work possible. Click the link below to become a monthly or one-time donor!

Donate Today