Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe delivered the Oct. 6 game ball to a Virginia Mason Franciscan Health oncologist in Federal Way to spread awareness of the importance of catching cancer before it’s too late.

On Oct. 25, VMFH held its annual “Crucial Catch” event in collaboration with the Seahawks, and Seahawks Mafe delivered the ball to Dr. Paul Mitsuyama.

Crucial Catch starts at the beginning of October with the raising of the Crucial Catch flag at Lumen Field to celebrate education for all screenable cancers and to try and get people to schedule doctor appointments. VMFH Sports Marketer Stacy Slade said said six cancers can be caught early through screenings: Skin, lung, colorectal, cervical, breast and prostate cancer.

“Talk to your doctor about early detection and what cancer screenings are right for you,” Slade said.

For him, Mafe said cancer has touched his life.

“My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when I was a senior in high school, and we lost her two years after that. But I do remember the times that had happened, [and] the fact that she always smiled through everything that she went through. She always had a smile no matter what the situation was,” Mafe said. “To me, that was the biggest thing because, honestly, seeing that every day showed me that no matter what I’m going through, I can’t complain if she can smile through that and have a smile on her face, no matter what’s going on.”

Mafe said because of his mom’s attitude when she had cancer, he always finds something to smile about so he can have a good day. Mafe said he loves that the Seahawks have this partnership because they might be able to detect cancer in time to save someone’s life.

Dr. Mitsuyama, who said he primarily treats people with radiation therapy, accepted the game ball, though he said he didn’t know he was going to be accepting the game ball that morning. Mitsuyama said he tells his patients to do continual cancer screenings and tell their family and friends to get regular screenings. Mitsuyama said it’s important for people to establish a relationship with their primary care physician and to follow recommended guidelines.

Mitsuyama said the two most common cancers are breast and prostate cancer, so people who are 40 and have family histories of cancers should start thinking about screening. He added that smokers can benefit from lung cancer screenings, and colon cancer is also important to screen for.

“We know that if you catch cancer earlier, you have a much better chance of being able to take care of it, to cure it, hopefully,” Mitsuyama said. “So, it’s absolutely critical. I treat patients with early-stage disease and late-stage disease, and patients who have early-stage disease tend to do far better.”

Dr. Paul Mitsuyama with the Oct. 6 game ball. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror

Boye Mafe with Virginia Mason nurses Dorota Irga and Vangie Villa. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror