MDH to Offer Free Prostate Cancer Screenings

McDonough District Hospital will host an educational event, “Let’s Talk About Prostate Cancer,” on Tuesday, March 9, in Health Services Building One Auditorium. The program includes an educational forum and free prostate cancer screenings with area physicians.

The evening will start at 6:00 p.m. with a physician forum featuring urologist, Christopher Castillo, MD; and oncologist, Michael Veeder, MD. They will address prostate cancer screening guidelines and options for treatment.

Health professionals will set up booths to provide educational materials and answer questions, including MDH staff from the Diabetes Education Center, Outreach Services, Home Health, Hospice, Nutrition Services, and Advocacy; as well as representatives from the Macomb Oncology Institute (Radiation Clinic), and the American Cancer Society. Information on topics such as nutrition, sexual health, and cancer prevention, screening, and treatment will be available. Resources will also be available for women whose lives have been affected by prostate cancer.

Men who attend the program will be offered a free prostate cancer screening that evening, which includes a PSA blood test; and a digital rectal exam provided by Drs. Curt Farr and Chris Martin, physicians from the MDH Medical Staff. A limited number of screenings will be available. These free screenings, including lab analysis provided by the MDH Laboratory, are made possible through generous donations to the cancer education and screening fund at McDonough District Hospital.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and for African American men the rate is 1 in 4. Prostate cancer does not affect men in isolation; it can have a devastating effect on entire families, especially wives and partners. If detected early, however, prostate cancer can most often be successfully treated and even cured.

Men, age 40 and over, and their partners or other family members, are encouraged to attend to learn more about prostate cancer risk. The American Cancer Society believes that instead of providing strict screening recommendations that doctors should discuss the pros and cons of testing with men so each man can decide if testing is right for him.

To register, please contact MDH Outreach Services at 309-836-1584. When you call to register, you may also confidentially provide a question that you would like for a physician to answer during the presentation.