African-American Men More Likely to Get Prostate Cancer

Cancer Center offers free screenings during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

(Baton Rouge, La.) The month of September, National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, should be an annual reminder of the startling prostate cancer statistics that exist in our state, especially for African-American men. In research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Louisiana ranked first in the nation per 100,000 men for prostate cancer incidence. These rates proved to be 70 percent higher in African-American men than white men, and death rates were twice as high. Due to these findings, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is offering free prostate cancer screenings during September. “We’re seeing information being rapidly disseminated about prostate cancer, including who should be screened and who should be treated since all prostate cancers do not require treatment. It’s an important and critical conversation underway in our country right now, said Dr. Sheldon Johnson, radiation oncologist, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “There’s also significant headway has been made on customizing the most appropriate treatment options for individual patients. It’s not a one size fits all approach,” said Dr. Johnson. Prostate screenings are for men age 50 and older who do not have a doctor or have not been screened in the past 12 months. Those at higher risk such as African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer should consider being screened beginning at age 45. The prostate cancer screening is performed by a doctor and includes a PSA blood test and physical exam. The American Cancer Society recommends discussing prostate screening with a doctor to determine if it is right for you. The following is a list of free prostate cancer screenings being offered during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Saturday, September 14: Webb’s Barbershop 414 Eddie Robinson Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursday, September 26 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge Office 2050 N. Foster Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 5:30 – 7 p.m. Friday, September 27 Albertsons 402 South Range Rd. Denham Springs, LA 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, please call (225) 215-1234 or toll-free (888) 616-4687. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is the most comprehensive cancer center in Louisiana offering patients the convenience of receiving high-quality, advanced care close to home. The Cancer Center is part of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP), a group of competitively selected cancer centers that is developing a national model for community cancer care.