FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Ziba Anderson
(334) 682-4515

Urology Centers of Alabama and the Wilcox County Health Department will sponsor a prostate cancer screening on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the health department located at 107 Union St. in Camden. In the past, more than 150 men have been provided free prostate screenings during the four-hour events.

Prostate cancer is very treatable when detected early. Prostate health is particularly important for African American men because they are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and their death rate from this disease is two and one-half times greater than the rate for Caucasian men.

Because there are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer while it is still in the early stages, Dr. Thomas E. Moody of Urology Centers of Alabama states that is why screening is so critical. In more advanced stages, symptoms may include difficult or frequent urination, blood in the urine, or bone pain. Every man 45 years of age or over should be screened each year. African American men or those with a family history of the disease should start being screened at age 40.

Screening for prostate cancer involves a simple blood test called a PSA that measures the level of protein called prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Normally, PSA is found in the blood at very low levels. Elevated PSA readings can be a sign of prostate cancer. A physical examination is also given to detect prostate cancer. This exam is called a DRE or digital rectal exam. These tests take approximately 10 minutes to perform.

For more information on the free screening please call the Wilcox County Health Department at (334) 682-4515.

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9/29/09