Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer free prostate cancer screenings

Griffin Hospital will offer free prostate cancer screenings from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 15./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer free prostate cancer screenings from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men at 50 years old. 

Men at higher risk, including African-American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, should be screened at age 45. Men at a very high risk (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 years) should be tested at age 40.

“We strongly encourage the men in our community to take advantage of these free screenings,” said Dr. Fred Browne, vice president of Medical Affairs at Griffin Hospital. “As the third-leading cancer killer in men, prostate cancer is a serious disease, but it can be successfully treated if caught at an early stage. 

"This event will be a combination of preventative screening and education, so men know what symptoms to look for and they can share this information with friends, family and neighbors.”

The screening will take 10-15 minutes. Space for the screenings is limited; early registration is encouraged. 

To register, call 203-732-1280.

About Prostate Cancer

Approximately 1 in 7 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Screening is critical because early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. 

More advanced prostate cancers sometimes cause symptoms, such as:

• Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night;
• Blood in the urine or semen;
• Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED);
• Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones;
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.  

If you have any of these warning signs, do not wait for the free screenings. 

Contact your physician immediately, call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologists at 203-732-2651 or visit griffinfacultyphysicians.org.  

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.