Free Prostate Cancer Screenings
In recognition of Men’s Health Month, The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby, and the Health Initiative for Men (HiM) will host free prostate cancer screenings from 3-5 p.m. on Thurs., June 13.
The screenings will take 10-15 minutes. Space for the free screenings is limited, so early registration is encouraged. To register, call 203-732-1280.
The screening is sponsored by HiM, which encourages men to have an annual physical and to raise awareness about men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. In addition to the screenings, individuals can come to the Center during the event to get information about men’s health topics, including surgical hernia treatment, bariatric surgery, low-dose lung cancer screening, genetic testing for cancer and wellness visits with a primary care physician.
Prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men at 50 years old. Men at higher risk, including African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, should be screened at age 45. Men at a very high risk (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 years) should be tested at age 40.
“Screening programs are an inexpensive and non-invasive way to identify men who have treatable prostate cancer before they have symptoms,” said Radiation Oncologist Dr. Sanjay Aneja. “Identifying prostate cancer early before patients have symptoms is our best chance to cure their disease. It’s unfortunate that prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men because we have excellent treatment options which, if initiated early enough, can provide patients with a cure.”
About Prostate Cancer
Approximately 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. As with most cancers, early diagnosis is important to improve chances of cure. Screening, although controversial, is important because early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms.
There have been tremendous advances in the treatment of prostate cancer making treatments more effective and causing much less side effects.
For further information on your prostate health, contact your physician or call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologists at 203-732-2651 or visit griffinfacultyphysicians.org.
