Prostate screening slated at Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., and the Health Initiative for Men (HiM) will host free prostate cancer screenings from 3-5:30 p.m. Nov. 9.

The screening is sponsored by HiM, which encourages men to have an annual physical and to raise awareness about men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. For more information about HiM, visit griffinhealth.org/him.

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.

Approximately 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. As with most cancers, early diagnosis is important to improve chances of cure. Screening, although controversial, is important because early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. 

There have been tremendous advances in the treatment of prostate cancer making treatments more effective and causing much less side effects.

The screenings will take 10-15 minutes. Space for the free screenings is limited, so early registration is encouraged. 

To register, call 203-732-1260.

For further information on prostate health, individuals should contact their primary care physician or call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologists at 203-732-2651 to schedule a consultation.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.