Free Prostate Screenings in September

JOHNSON CREEK, WI. - UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek, Fort Health Care and UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center are partnering to provide four free prostate screening events during the month of September, in recognition of prostate cancer awareness month.

The prostate screening events are designed for men aged 50 and older, or for men over age 40 who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Dates and Appointments

• Saturday, September 12: Fort Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic (view map) will hold a prostate screening event from 7:30am-1:30pm. Call (920) 568-5244 to schedule an appointment with one of the Fort Healthcare Urology Associates physicians at the Fort Healthcare screening.

• Wednesday, September 16: UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center (WRMC) will hold a prostate screening from 5-8pm. Call (920) 262-4639 to schedule an appointment.

• Thursday, September 17: UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek will hold a prostate screening event from 1-4pm. To schedule an appointment for the Johnson Creek Cancer Center event with Dr. Deepak Khuntia, call (920) 699-3500.

• Tuesday, September 29: UW Health Partners Juneau Clinic will hold a prostate screening from 5-7pm. Call (920) 386-0290 to schedule an appointment at the Juneau Clinic screening.

The Importance of Early Detection

According to UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek radiation oncologist Dr. Deepak Khuntia, most prostate cancers, if caught early, have extremely high cure rates.

"PSA screening is a very important part of the early detection process. Fortunately, we have state-of-the-art tools right here in the area to not only diagnose the cancer early, but also treat it effectively with either surgery, prostate seed implants, or external beam radiation for cure."

Appointments are required for prostate screenings, which includes a manual prostate exam and a PSA blood test. Area men are invited to attend any one of these four events but are encouraged to register early, as space is limited.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men.

Knowing the risk factors for prostate cancer can help you determine if and when you want to begin prostate cancer screening. The main risk factors include:

• Age: As you get older, your risk of prostate cancer increases. After age 50, your chance of having prostate cancer increases substantially. About 70 percent of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men age 65 years or older. The recommendation to have PSA testing begins at age 50 (40 if you have risk factors) and continues until you're at the age when your life expectancy is 10 years or less.
• Race or ethnicity: For reasons that aren't well understood, African-American men have a higher risk of developing and dying of prostate cancer.
• Family history: If a close family member - your father or brother - has prostate cancer, your risk of the disease is greater than that of the average American man.
• Diet: A high-fat diet and obesity may increase your risk of prostate cancer.