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Healthy U: Free prostate education, screenings planned
Times Record - 9/16/2018
Sept. 16--The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation will host a free prostate cancer education and screening event from 4-7 p.m.Sept. 27 at the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 S. M St. in Fort Smith. The event is an annual collaboration between the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, Baptist Health in Little Rock and APCF.
Men between the ages of 45 and 75 are encouraged to take advantage of the free, preventative health care services, which will include a discussion on risk and benefits of screening, a blood test for prostate-specific antigen and a physical exam. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and men that are African-American are in high-risk populations for prostate cancer.
"Men will want to be educated about their risk and options regarding screening and treatment," APCF Executive Director Beverlyn Eckert says in a news release. "Men who have a father, brother or son diagnosed with prostate cancer have a higher risk of diagnosis themselves. It's important to know men can decrease the risk of prostate cancer by practicing healthy lifestyle choices.
According to the Arkansas Central Cancer Registry, about 1,260 men in Arkansas will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and 280 men will die from the disease. Men in Arkansas die at a higher rate from prostate cancer than women die from breast cancer. In many cases, Eckert says timely detection is the best opportunity to preserve life and quality of life.
"Should a screening result in a diagnosis of prostate cancer, APCF is here to help with understanding the disease and treatment, finding resources, learning what to expect and how to deal with challenges," she said. "We have a legion of men and women who have weathered this storm, ready to help those who are newly diagnosed."
Eckert said she encourages men to establish a baseline PSA score and watch for PSA Velocity, which is the amount and rate a PSA score rises from year-to-year. APCF staff will be available to answer questions and help men determine whether screening is right for them.
For information about the event or to register for the screening, call the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House at (479) 782-6302.
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(c)2018 Times Record (Fort Smith, Ark.)
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