August 21, 2006
Genesis Provides Free Prostate Screenings
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Men who have regular physical examinations hear the words "Drop ‘Em’’ and automatically know what is coming next. The digital rectal exam and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test are important parts of checkups for men.
These brief, simple tests can save lives. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2006. Many men are diagnosed at an early stage by using the digital rectal exam and PSA.
The Prostate Cancer Education Council has adopted the "Drop ‘Em’’ theme for prostrate cancer awareness month in September.
Genesis, Metropolitan Medical Laboratory, the American Cancer Society and local physicians will be helping to raise awareness in the Quad Cities with a joint effort to offer free prostate screenings on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8-10 a.m. at Genesis Medical Center, 1401 West Central Park, Davenport and at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, 855 Illini Drive, Silvis.
Participants should use the Atrium entrance located on the Central Park Avenue side of the hospital to attend the Davenport screening. At Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, participants should use the main entrance to the Larson Center.
The screening is for men older than age 40 who have not been screened in the past year.
The local screenings will be held in conjunction with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The screenings will involve a digital rectal exam and a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA test results will be mailed to participants within two weeks. Results of the digital rectal exam will be available during the appointment.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in American men. It is more common than any other major cancer – every three minutes an American man is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Nearly 27,000 men die from prostate cancer each year.
The best way to beat prostate cancer is by detecting it in its earliest stage – and the best way to detect it early is through screening.
Because screening slots are limited, appointments are requested. To schedule a screening time, pre-register by calling Genesis On Call at (563) 421-2000 or 1-800-383-2575. For more information about prostate cancer, visit www.cancer.org.
###
What You Should Know About Prostate Cancer
Symptoms of prostate cancer include:
- Weak or interrupted urine flow.
- Inability to urinate or difficulty starting or stopping urine flow.
- The need to urinate frequently, especially at night.
- Blood in the urine.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Frequent pain in lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs.
Risk factors for developing prostate cancer include:
- Age – The chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. About two-thirds of all prostate cancers are found in men older than 65 years old.
- Race – Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in white American men. African-American men are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage.
- Family history – Prostate cancer seems to run in families, which suggests an inherited or genetic factor.
- Diet – Men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products appear to have a slightly higher chance of developing prostate cancer.
###
