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Long Branch, NJ --- In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Monmouth Medical Center will offer free Prostate Cancer Screenings on Monday, September 15 at 4:30 p.m. at the hospital’s Leon Hess Cancer Center, 300 Second Avenue.
Men age 50 and older who have never had a prior prostate cancer screening or a prior urology work-up and those who have never been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are not under the care of a urologist are able to participate.
The comprehensive screening includes a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE).
The PSA blood test measures the level of a protein that often increases in the blood when prostate cancer develops. The DRE allows the doctor to physically check for lumps or other unusual features on the prostate gland itself. The combination of both tests offers participants the most comprehensive level of screening and diagnostic accuracy.
Each year, according to the American Urological Association (AUA), more than 200,000 American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. It’s the second most common cause of cancer in men after skin cancer, and the second leading cause of death. If detected early however, there is nearly a 100 percent survival rate.
One of the greatest risk factors for developing prostate cancer is age. In fact, the majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are older than 65. African-American men also have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, and men with a family history – a father, brother or son diagnosed with the disease – are also at a greater risk. Research also suggests that obesity and a diet that includes a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy foods may put men at a higher risk for prostate cancer as well.
While some men with early-stage prostate cancer may experience symptoms such as blood in the urine, pain in the pelvis or ribs, or erectile problems, the majority of men with early stage prostate cancer have no symptoms or warning signs. Screening is most often the only way to detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages.
Both the AUA and the American Cancer Society recommend annual prostate cancer screenings for men, ages 50 to 70, and annual screenings beginning at age 40 for men who are considered high risk. Regular screenings for prostate cancer help ensure early detection and make it easier to successfully treat the disease in its earliest stages.
Registration is required by calling 1-888-724-7123.
Date: August 27, 2008
CONTACT: Kristine A. Brown
Director of Public Relations
732-557-3902
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