Loyola University Medical Center to offer free prostate cancer screenings

More than 55 million American men are at risk for developing prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

This year more than 27,000 men are expected to die of the disease, which is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men.

"Fortunately, caught early enough prostate cancer is highly treatable," said urologist Dr. Robert C. Flanigan, chairman, Department of Urology, Loyola University Medical Center. "Early detection can dramatically increase the chances of surviving prostate cancer. All men should be screened for prostate cancer every year after age 50 - even earlier if they are African Americans, who have the highest rate of the disease and the lowest rate of survival."

As part of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Loyola University Medical Center will join with hospitals across the nation to offer free prostate cancer screenings. The screenings will take place from 3-7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood.

The screenings will be confidential and will include blood tests and exams by board-certified urologists. Participants will be notified of the results of their blood tests by mail. If your test is abnormal, Loyola medical staff will contact you by phone to arrange additional care.

The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer ranks only behind skin cancer as the most common type of cancer found in American men. It is rare in men younger than 40. Symptoms include:

• Difficulty in beginning urination
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
• Difficulty in emptying the bladder
• Frequent urination, especially at night.
• Pain or burning during urination.
• Blood in the urine or semen.
• Pain in the back, hips or pelvis that doesn't go away.
• Painful ejaculation.