September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare are sponsoring a free prostate screening. The screening is 4:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare – Flagstaff, 1200 N. Beaver St.
Screenings are by appointment and include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and physical examination by a physician. To schedule a prostate screening appointment, call 928 773-2261; walk-ins will be seen as time allows between 5-6:30 p.m.
Men between the ages of 50-75 years, and/or men over the age of 40 who have a family history of prostate cancer, may want to consider getting annual prostate exams. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends men make an informed decision with their physician about whether to be tested for prostate cancer. Starting at age 50, men should talk with their physician about the benefits and risks of testing. For those who choose to be screened, the ACS recommends they have the PSA blood test with or without a rectal exam. How often they are tested will depend on their PSA level.
It is estimated that one in six men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. African-American men have the highest incidence for prostate cancer and are therefore encouraged to be screened annually. Screenings can detect the disease in its earliest stages, allowing for better treatment options and longer survival rates with early diagnosis.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men and is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths; yet, the mortality rate associated with prostate cancer has decreased significantly over the past 10 years. In Arizona, approximately 4,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Fortunately, with early detection and the many new treatment options available for prostate cancer, the five-year survival rate is 99-percent according to the National Cancer Institute.
The prostate is a gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is about the size of a walnut and located just below the bladder. As men age they have a greater risk of developing an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.
The Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare are devoted to the prevention, early diagnosis and overall comprehensive treatment of cancer through advanced technology and individualized care. For more information on services and treatments offered at the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare visit CCNAH.com or call 800 854-7744.
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