Prostate Cancer Most Frequently Diagnosed Cancer in Louisiana Men

Cancer Center uses education, free screenings and latest technology to fight back

  (Baton Rouge, La.) Each year in September, which is designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, attention is given to the staggering prostate cancer statistics that exist in the state. But the experts at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth Hospital are dedicated year-round to the prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease. Using advanced technology, the Cancer Center now offers prostate cancer treatment options with the latest, most sophisticated cancer treatment system available – the revolutionary Agility from Elekta, a global leader in radiation therapy for treating cancer. Agility is the world’s fastest multileaf collimator, or radiation beam shaper. The integration of Agility with Elekta’s Infinity linear accelerator (radiation delivery system) means:

• Even shorter treatment times than before, resulting in increased patient comfort and convenience
• The latest advances in technology to enable treatment of traditionally challenging cases
• Patented technology that provides exquisite conformance to tumor size, shape and volume
• Delivery of high-definition radiation beams for both small and large, complex targets

“We have leading-edge technology in our linear accelerator, and that allows us to treat prostate cancer in a way that is better than ever before,” said Maurice King, M.D., radiation oncologist at the Cancer Center. “We are able to deliver a dose of radiation to the prostate with pinpoint precision that was unthinkable 10 years ago.” However, when it comes to cancer, catching the disease early is the most effective approach. Prostate cancer is most common in men 65 years and older, but it is recommended that men begin prostate screenings at age 50 or 45 if African-American or have a family history. According to the American Cancer Society, if prostate cancer is caught early, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is partnering with St. Elizabeth Hospital to offer a free prostate cancer screening during September to help detect cancer earlier, giving more men a chance at beating the disease. The prostate cancer screening includes a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and a DRE (digital rectal exam) performed by a doctor. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center offers free prostate screenings throughout the year. The following free prostate screening is being offered in Gonzales during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month:

Wednesday, Sept. 16 Clarion Inn & Conference Center 1500 West Hwy. 30 Gonzales 5-7 p.m. No appointment required

  For more information, please call (225) 215-1234 or toll-free at (888) 616-4687.     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 five FMOLHS hospitals, including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Our Lady of Lourdes in Lafayette, and Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in Bogalusa.