Norwalk Hospital Urologists will be conducting a free prostate cancer screening in observance of “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Week.” The screening, sponsored by the Whittingham Cancer Center of Norwalk Hospital, and coordinated by Linda Versea, APRN, MSN, administrative manager of the Whittingham Cancer Center, will be held on Saturday, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Cancer Center.
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men. It is estimated that approximately 217,730 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and more than 32,060 deaths are expected this year.
The free screening on September 18, according to Dr. Jonathan Bernie, urologist and chief of robotic surgery, is intended for men between the ages of 40 to 75 years old, who currently do not have a urologist or primary care physician and have no history of prostate cancer. The screening will consist of the two exams, the digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
According to Dr. Peter Dodds, Chairman of the Norwalk Hospital Department of Surgery, this event is intended to bring awareness to the importance of regular prostate cancer screenings. Men at high risk should be screened at age 40 and high risk includes those with a family history of prostate cancer and/or men of African American decent.
“Prostate cancer can be cured when it is diagnosed early,” Dr. Dodds emphasized. “There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer, and that is why regular screenings are so important. If diagnosed in its early stages, treatment options are much broader.” Treatment options for localized prostate cancer include radiation therapy and new surgical techniques such as robotic surgery, resulting in less pain and faster recovery and a reduction in problems such as incontinence and impotence.
Warning signs for serious prostate problems may include weak or interrupted flow of urine, the need to urinate frequently, blood in the urine and continuing pain in the lower back, pelvis and upper thighs.
To register for the prostate cancer screening, call the Whittingham Cancer Center at (203) 852-2148. There are a limited number of appointments available and will be scheduled on a first come first served basis.
