Baptist Health Offers Free Prostate Cancer Screenings
Available to Men of All Ages October 14 and 21 by Reservation

Jacksonville, Florida, September 16, 2008 -- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among American men. One in six men will get prostate cancer in his lifetime. Fortunately, prostate cancer is treatable and curable if caught in its early stages. Unfortunately, it is often symptomless until it is in its advanced state.

"Often, prostate cancer presents with little or no symptoms, and when it does, symptoms are subtle," says Connie Lewis, RN, Baptist Cancer Institute's Center for Prostate Care coordinator. "That's why screening is so important for men, especially those who are over age 45. Many times, prostate cancer is diagnosed during routine screening. The earlier it is diagnosed, the greater the chance for cure."

To fight this devastating disease, Baptist Health is once again offering free prostate cancer screenings to increase awareness of this disease and to promote screening and early detection.

To increase awareness of prostate health, Baptist Health will host two free prostate cancer screenings for the sixth year in a row. The first screening will be held at Baptist Medical Center Downtown October 14 from 3-7 pm, and at Baptist Medical Center South on October 21 from 3-7 pm.

Reservations are required. Please call 904.202.CARE (2273) to make your reservation. The screening will include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam performed by urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and primary care physicians associated with Baptist Health.

"Every year, we see patients at our screening who are ultimately diagnosed with prostate cancer and were previously unaware," says Lewis. "That's why we offer this free service year after year for our community."

Last year, Baptist Cancer Institute and Baptist South screened 283 men. Of those, 43 men were sent for further testing due to suspicious results. Since beginning of the screenings in 2002, Baptist has screened almost 1,157 men, with an average 15.9 percent receiving abnormal results and being referred for further testing. This year, Baptist expects to screen 200 men at Baptist Cancer Institute and 100 men at Baptist South, bringing the total of screenings since 2002 to nearly 1,500.

For information on the prostate cancer screenings, call 202.CARE (2273). For more information about prostate health, visit e-baptisthealth.com/cancer.