Prostate Cancer Most Frequently Diagnosed Cancer in Men

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital offers free prostate cancer screening

  According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in Louisiana, but if caught early the five-year survival rate is close to 100 percent. African-American men have a two-thirds higher incidence of prostate cancer than Caucasian men and a mortality rate twice as high. During September, the month designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital is offering a free prostate cancer screening to help detect this cancer earlier, giving more men a chance at beating the disease. Free 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. African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer should consider being screened beginning at age 45. The prostate cancer screening includes a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam) performed by a doctor. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital offers free cancer screenings throughout the year. The following free prostate cancer screening is offered during National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Saturday, Sept. 26 Community Wellness Center 1501 N. Florida St. Covington 9 – 11 a.m. For more information, please call 888-616-4687 or visit mbpstph.org/prostate. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital provides comprehensive cancer care services including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, as well as patient navigation, clinical trials and free cancer community screenings. The Cancer Center is nationally accredited with commendation and recognized for excellence in cancer care by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Not only do patients have access to these vital cancer services and high quality cancer care, but these services are readily available close to home.