New Brunswick, NJ – One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and it is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men other than skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. That is why Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and its flagship hospital Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJ) are joining forces to offer a free prostate cancer education and screening event, to provide men and their families with a better understanding of the disease. Registration for the event, which has tested thousands of men over the past 17 years, is now open and will be offered to men across the state on September 15, 16 and 17 in recognition of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
The screening and education event has long been supported by local clergy, civic leaders, and their respective institutions whose community presence has encouraged groups of men to attend. “This collective support from our community leaders resonates with these men and has resulted in them coming to the event on a consistent basis. As a result, these men bring family and friends, enabling us to offer both the screening service and vital information about prostate health to a much broader population,” notes Mariam Merced, director of the RWJ Community Health Promotion Program.
At the event, men will receive a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, as well as educational literature focused on prostate health. Men and their families also will have the opportunity to speak to a urologic oncologist from the Prostate Cancer Program at the Cancer Institute. Assistance for Spanish speakers will be available.
“One’s personal risk and family history of prostate cancer are key factors as to when a man should begin to be screened for the disease and how often. That is why beginning at age 40, all men should have this important conversation with their doctor,” says Cancer Institute urologic oncologist Sammy E. Elsamra, MD, who is heading the clinical component of this year’s event. “For men who do not have a family physician or health insurance, the free screening and education event provides an opportunity for them to better protect their prostate health,” adds Dr. Elsamra, who is also an assistant professor of surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Registration is now open for the screenings, which run from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. all three evenings at the Cancer Institute (195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick) and are open to all men 40 and older. Limited free parking will be available. For those taking mass transit, the Cancer Institute is one block south of the New Brunswick train station. While the screenings are free, an appointment is necessary and can be made by calling 1-888-MD-RWJUH (1-888-637-9584). Additional information can be found at: http://cinj.org/prostatescreening.
At the event, men will receive a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, as well as educational literature focused on prostate health. Men and their families also will have the opportunity to speak to a urologic oncologist from the Prostate Cancer Program at the Cancer Institute. Assistance for Spanish speakers will be available.
“One’s personal risk and family history of prostate cancer are key factors as to when a man should begin to be screened for the disease and how often. That is why beginning at age 40, all men should have this important conversation with their doctor,” says Cancer Institute urologic oncologist Sammy E. Elsamra, MD, who is heading the clinical component of this year’s event. “For men who do not have a family physician or health insurance, the free screening and education event provides an opportunity for them to better protect their prostate health,” adds Dr. Elsamra, who is also an assistant professor of surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Registration is now open for the screenings, which run from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. all three evenings at the Cancer Institute (195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick) and are open to all men 40 and older. Limited free parking will be available. For those taking mass transit, the Cancer Institute is one block south of the New Brunswick train station. While the screenings are free, an appointment is necessary and can be made by calling 1-888-MD-RWJUH (1-888-637-9584). Additional information can be found at: http://cinj.org/prostatescreening.
