Cy Fair Sun - News
Hospital to offer free prostate cancer screenings
By VALERIE JONES
Prostate cancer is said to be the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting one in six men. The prostate, located only in men, is a walnut-sized gland just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is important to bladder control and normal sexual functioning.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, more than 186,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. Risk factors include age, family history and race.
“For unknown reasons, prostate cancer is more common among African-American men than among men of other races,” said Don Berardinucci, urologist on the medical staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center. “In fact, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, African-American men are 61 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer compared with Caucasian men and are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease.”
The risk for developing prostate cancer increases for African-American men who have a close relative (father or brother) with the disease and more than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Doctors screen for prostate cancer using the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test and the DRE (Digital Rectal Exam). The American Cancer Society said both tests should be given to men with no serious medical problems yearly, beginning at age 50. Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45.
There is no cure for prostate cancer, but there are several treatment options. Changes in diet to include more tomato sauce and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) can also decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Houston Northwest Medical Center will offer free preventive prostate cancer screenings Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Medical Mall II. Both PSA and DRE screenings will be offered by a trained professional. Registration is required and those interested can call 281-580-0000.
WHO: Houston Northwest Medical Center
WHAT: free preventive prostate cancer screenings
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Medical Mall II
WHY: Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men.
To register, call 281-580-0000.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, more than 186,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. Risk factors include age, family history and race.
“For unknown reasons, prostate cancer is more common among African-American men than among men of other races,” said Don Berardinucci, urologist on the medical staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center. “In fact, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, African-American men are 61 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer compared with Caucasian men and are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease.”
The risk for developing prostate cancer increases for African-American men who have a close relative (father or brother) with the disease and more than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Doctors screen for prostate cancer using the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test and the DRE (Digital Rectal Exam). The American Cancer Society said both tests should be given to men with no serious medical problems yearly, beginning at age 50. Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45.
There is no cure for prostate cancer, but there are several treatment options. Changes in diet to include more tomato sauce and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) can also decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Houston Northwest Medical Center will offer free preventive prostate cancer screenings Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Medical Mall II. Both PSA and DRE screenings will be offered by a trained professional. Registration is required and those interested can call 281-580-0000.
WHO: Houston Northwest Medical Center
WHAT: free preventive prostate cancer screenings
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Medical Mall II
WHY: Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men.
To register, call 281-580-0000.
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