San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is putting his name behind a prostate cancer awareness campaign with Novartis, the NFL’s first-ever pharmaceutical partner, in an effort to get men talking, testing and paying attention to the disease.
Kittle’s connection to the cause starts at home. In an interview with 49ers on SI, he said the topic hit close to his family because of his grandfather, his dad’s father, who had prostate cancer years ago and survived.
“My family connection to prostate cancer comes from my grandpa, my dad's dad. He had prostate cancer about eight to ten years ago and thankfully survived it. He has since passed away, but that was simply due to old age,” shared Kittle in an interview with 49ers on SI.
He said that experience and the timing of the Novartis partnership came together naturally.
“When he passed, I started talking to my dad more about my grandpa and his experience with prostate cancer. It was around the same time I started talking with Novartis about a potential partnership, so the two things went hand in hand. It was a strange connection at just the right time.
“I learned that one in eight men will test positive for prostate cancer, which I think are incredible odds. I had no idea that was the case.”
The campaign centers on a simple message: start the conversation and get the blood test. Kittle said he wants men to talk more openly with friends and family, break down the stigma and be willing to check in with a doctor if needed. Novartis says prostate cancer is “the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States”.
Kittle said awareness is improving, even if the subject still doesn’t come up nearly enough in everyday conversation.
“To an extent, I think things are getting better [with more awareness]. More people are becoming aware and wanting to learn more,” shared Kittle.
“But, like I said, I've never really had a conversation about it with my friendship group. We never talked about it until I started working with Novartis and brought it up.
I asked my friends, 'Have you guys ever thought about this?' and they said no.
“I told them they should maybe have a conversation with their dads and bring it up with them. It's a pretty simple blood test.
“I think we're possibly getting past the taboo, but at the same time, you still have friends who say, 'I'm good. I don't need that. I don't need to talk about it.'
“It’s like, 'Hey, man, I just want what's best for you. I want you to live a long life so we can go and play plenty of golf together.'
So, if you need to get a blood test, just go and get one. It's pretty easy.”
Novartis says early detection is a major part of the message, noting that “early detection leads to a greater than 99% relative 5-year survival rate.” The campaign directs people to RelaxItsaBloodTest.com for more information.
Kittle closed by emphasizing that the effort is bigger than football.
“We're all in this life together, and I'd much rather help as many people as I can than just focus on doing things on my own.
“If I can spread a little awareness and encourage a few guys who otherwise wouldn't get tested to go and have a blood test that might save their lives, then I think that's absolutely worth working with Novartis for.
“It’s something that affects all of us, so we just want to spread awareness and keep people up to date with current developments and what's going on.”
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