Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, St. Elizabeth Hospital Offer Free Prostate Screening

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

  (Gonzales) – Prostate cancer awareness is important during any month but especially during September, the month designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. The goal of the free screening is to reach as many men as possible. The earlier prostate cancer is detected the more options are available for treatment. Wednesday, September 14 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Community Clinic, Gonzales Public Health Unit, 1024 SE Ascension Complex, Gonzales, staff members from both Mary Bird Perkins and St. Elizabeth are partnering to offer a prostate screening for men age 50 and older who do not have a doctor or have not had a prostate screening 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. Reservations are not required.       About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for more than 40 years. With five centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma and Gonzales, its service area encompasses 18 parishes across southeast Louisiana.  For more information, please visit www.marybird.org. About St. Elizabeth Hospital Sponsorship by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) has provided the means to expand and upgrade St. Elizabeth Hospital to meet the needs of the growing area it serves.  A 78-bed community hospital with 500+ team members and 100 physicians on staff, St. Elizabeth is one of four FMOLHS hospitals, including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe and Our Lady of Lourdes in Lafayette.