Two objectives of Healthy People 2020 are to reduce the prostate cancer death rate to 21.8 deaths per 100,000 males and to increase the proportion of men who have discussed advantages and disadvantages of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to screen for prostate cancer with their primary care provider.

Doctors offer screening in the hopes of catching prostate cancer early before it has a chance to grow, spread, or cause symptoms. Catching the disease early may be an important part of effective treatment. Prostate cancer is not like many other cancers in that it usually grows slowly and does not usually lead to death. The problem is that a small number of prostate cancers are serious and can lead to death.

The main test used to screen for prostate cancer is a blood test called a “PSA test.” Some men also have an exam called a rectal exam. Prostate cancer screening is done in men who have no symptoms of the disease.

African American men, and men who have a brother or father with the disease are more likely than other men to get it. For men with a high risk of prostate cancer, screening might be a good idea.

September is National Ovarian Cancer and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

SSM Health and Dave Sinclair Lincoln have teamed up to offer free prostate screenings to men aged 50-69 who have never been diagnosed or treated for prostate cancer. 

Call 1-866-SSM-DOCS, register online, or walk-in to Dave Sinclair Lincoln, 4760 N. Service, Road, St. Peters MO between 4 PM and 7 PM on Thursday, September 13, 2016.

With prayers that God will strengthen your resolve to care for your body and health.