10/7/2009

Mark Your Calendar! You may have to change your dinner plans. But whatever it takes, plan to attend one of our free prostate cancer screenings on October 21, 22, 27 or 29. The screening will be held at the LifeCenter, Lycoming Mall from 5-7pm each day.

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in men over 65 in Pennsylvania. But early detection has made it one of the most curable forms of the disease. The prostate gland lies below the bladder. It is normally the size of a walnut, but it typically enlarges with age. Prostate cancer is abnormal cell growth typically identified through a blood test for PSA.

In the early stages, prostate cancer does not typically cause symptoms. That’s what makes screening so essential. Depending on the type of disease and its progression, prostate cancer is treated at Susquehanna Health by surgery or state-of-the-art techniques including intensive beaming of focused radiation.

Although the causes are not fully known, age, genetics and race are factors. Older men, those with a family history of the disease and African-Americans should be checked annually. The screening is free, but registration is required. To register, please call 321-3000.

Check with Your Doctor

Men should check with their internist or urologist if they experience the following symptoms, although they do not necessarily indicate prostate cancer.

- Weaker than average urine stream
- Trouble starting your urine stream
- Inability to urinate
- Frequent urge to urinate
- A sense that the bladder is not emptying fully when urinating
- Waking up at night to urinate
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Blood in the urine