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I see in today's Sun that free screening for prostate cancer is
available tomorrow and Friday. Prostate cancer in men is now as common
as breast cancer is in women. I assume that what is offered is a PSA
(prostate specific antigen) blood test and a digital rectal exam (the
physician will cover his finger with a latex glove that has vaseline on
it, and he will stick his finger in your rear end to feel your prostate
to see if it is abnormally enlarged). The DRE is not pleasant, but it
is necessary to detect prostate cancer.<br>
<br>
As a survivor of prostate cancer who was treated at the Johns Hopkins
Kimmel Cancer Center, I urge all men over 40 in the neighborhood who
have not been screened within the last year by their own physicians to
take advantage of this opportunity. My cancer was caught by my
internist in my annual physical.<br>
<br>
Prostate cancer is very treatable if detected early, and you can live
for a long time after treatment. In many cases, if the cancer is
sufficiently non-aggressive, it need only be watched until and unless
it turns aggressive. But if it is more aggressive (as mine was), it
needs to be treated by radiation or by surgery. I was told that I
could probably go about 10 years without problems if it was not
treated; since I expect to be around for a lot longer than 10 more
years, I got radiation treatment.<br>
<br>
If the screening does show the likelihood of prostate cancer, you will
need a biopsy to determine whether the cancer is actually present and
if so, in how aggressive a form it is present. From that point, you
can see about treatment.<br>
<br>
Steve.<br>
<br>
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<h1>Prostate cancer screenings available</h1>
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June 8, 2005<br>
<br>
<p> Doctors are offering free screenings for prostate cancer from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Friday in a mobile lab outside the Safeway
at 2401 N. Charles St. </p>
<p> The "Do it for Dad" drive against
prostate cancer is sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center,
the National Prostate Cancer Coalition and the Family Health Center of
Baltimore. </p>
<p> Doctors will conduct the two-part testing inside a
39-foot-long Airstream Land Yacht XL. It will include a blood test and
a physical exam. Maryland ranks 10th in the nation in incidence of
prostate cancer and in mortality. </p>
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<p> <cite>Copyright © 2005, <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com"
target="new">The Baltimore Sun</a></cite> </p>
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