September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and we are encouraging people with prostates to be proactive - not reactive -when it comes to their prostate health. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among people with prostates. In 2024, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 299,010 new cases and about 35,250 deaths from prostate cancer.

The American Urological Association suggests people ages 45 to 69, with an average risk for prostate cancer, talk to their doctor about whether prostate cancer testing is right for them. For people with a higher risk of getting prostate cancer, which includes African American people with prostates or people with a family history of cancer, think about talking to your doctor as early as 40 years of age.

Prostate cancer often has no symptoms until the disease is advanced, and screening may help detect cancer early, when the chances of treatment success are high. “Screening” means testing for a disease even if you have no symptoms. When screening for prostate cancer, doctors typically use the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) as the first screening test. A low PSA score is a sign of a healthy prostate. A rapid rise in scores may signal a problem (not necessarily cancer).

Source: The American Urological Association

SVH Can Help in Multiple Ways

·        SVH is hosting a community health fair on September 21, 2024. The PSA test is one of the many low-cost blood tests available at the fair. Register for bloodwork at www.stvincent.health/health-fair.

·        St. Vincent Health’s laboratory offers PSA tests routinely with appointment. Check with your doctor. Your insurance may require a provider’s order for the test. Visit www.stvincent.health/laboratory, or call 719-486-7150 to learn more.

·        St. Vincent Health Specialty Clinics can also help! We offer appointments with visiting Urologist, Clay Pendleton, MD. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Pendleton by calling 719-486-7166.