Texas County Memorial Hospital and Dr. Anthony Kaczmarek, consulting urologist at the institution, are taking part in National Prostate Cancer Awareness Week by offering a prostate cancer screening from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the TCMH Family Clinic in Houston.
The Prostate Cancer Education Council, a consortium of physicians, health educators, scientists and patient advocates use National Prostate Cancer Awareness Week to educate the public about the importance of annual testing for the disease.
“Detecting the disease early gives doctors a wider variety of treatment options and, perhaps most importantly, lets the cancer be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body,” said Dr. David Crawford, chairman of the PCEC.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. Last year, about 218,00 men were afflicted with the disease and more than 28,000 men died from the disease in the United States. However, the survival rate for prostate cancer has increased to more than 90 percent.
Physicians say the best way to beat prostate cancer is by detecting it at its earliest – and most treatable – stage. Physicians recommend that men over the age of 45 should receive annual prostate screening. African American or hispanic men or men with a family history of the disease should receive annual prostate screening every year at age 35.
The TCMH prostate screening, offered by appointment only, includes a prostate specific antigen lab and digital rectal exam by a physician. Ten dollars covers the materials cost for the screening, which takes about 10 minutes.
To make an appointment for the screening or for additional information, contact Libby Waterson, TCMH education director, at 866-967-3311, ext. 340, or 417-967-1340.