Friday, September 10, 2010

Prostate Cancer Screening At Northwest Hospital

In 2010, nearly 218,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 32,000 men will die from it. If you are a man over the age of 50, it's likely time for a prostate exam.

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. A screening, which includes an exam by a urologist and a PSA blood test, is being held on Monday, September 20 at 4:30 p.m. at Northwest Hospital. An appointment is necessary. Call 410-601-WELL (9355) to sign up.

If you are age 40 and African-American, or have a family history of prostate cancer, talk to your physician about an exam, as the guidelines for the screening of prostate cancer recently changed. There have been great advances in prostate cancer treatment, resulting in the overall death rate declining steadily since 1994. However, there is still a disparity in prostate cancer death rates between white and African-American men.

Since there are no noticeable signs of prostate cancer in its early stages, screening is the best option in catching the cancer and ensuring a successful outcome. You can read what Dr. Mark Redwood, chief of the Sinai Hospital Department of Urology, had to say on this topic by clicking here. You may also want to read "Understanding Prostate Changes: A Health Guide for Men," from the National Cancer Institute.

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