Free Prostate Screenings Offered June 26 | Health

The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation will provide a free prostate cancer screening Tuesday, June 26, 4:00 -7:00 p.m. at the Cancer Support Home located at 1101 N. Woolsey Ave. in Fayetteville.

Screenings are intended for men under the age of 75 without access to medical care. Appointments are required and may be scheduled by calling 479-521-8024.

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society estimates about 241,740 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2012. About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. More than 2.5 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.

The two-part screening consists of a blood test to determine a baseline prostate specific antigen or PSA, as well as a digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by a physician. The PSA is a blood test that measures the level of a specific protein in the blood. Because up to 25 percent of men with prostate cancer have PSA scores in the normal range, a complete screening also includes a DRE, which is a quick test that involves an examination of the lower rectum to diagnose changes to or enlargement of the prostate gland. When the PSA and the DRE are combined, they represent the most comprehensive method for timely detection of prostate cancer.

The Cancer Support Home screening is designed for men who:
• Are between the ages of 50 and 75
• May not otherwise have access to medical care
• Have not had a PSA or DRE within the past 12 months
• Agree to participate in both parts of the screening (PSA and DRE)

Visit www.wregional.com for more information.