Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

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(Gonzales) – Prostate cancer awareness is important during any month but especially during September, the month designated as national Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. During September, public education is heightened and free screenings, such as the one being jointly held by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital, are offered to the public in hopes of reaching as many men as possible.

The American Cancer Society recommends yearly prostate screenings for African American men beginning at age 45, as they are at higher risk for this type of cancer than any other ethnic group.  All other races should begin at age 50. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should begin five years earlier than the recommended ages.

Although prostate cancer is not preventable, early detection and prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death. “If you are a male of appropriate age, do not have a doctor and have not been screened for prostate cancer in the past year, come to the free screening Mary Bird Perkins and St. Elizabeth Hospital are sponsoring together on September 18 at the St. Elizabeth Hospital Health Park,” urged Renea Austin-Duffin, executive director, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s CARE Network. “It could save your life.”

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ “­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Getting screened for prostate cancer for a male of the appropriate age is one of the best things a man can do for himself, as well as for his family,” said Craig Vitrano MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs & Strategy, St Elizabeth Hospital.

Here are the details about the free prostate cancer screening being offered jointly by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital in September:

Tuesday, September 18
St. Elizabeth Hospital Health Park
1212 W. St. Clare Blvd., Suite 3000
Gonzales
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
*Registration required
Call (225) 647-5008

For more information please visit www.marybird.org or www.steh.com

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About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and its C.A.R.E. Network
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 35 years. It is the only independent, nonprofit cancer treatment, education and research facility in Louisiana providing state of the art radiation therapy to all community residents regardless of ability to pay. The Center has locations in Baton Rouge, Covington and Hammond.

The mission of the C.A.R.E. Network (Cancer Support Services, Awareness and Education, Research and Early Detection) is to lessen the burden of cancer in the community. Established in 2002, it is funded by gifts from the community and provides hundreds of programs and services, including free cancer screenings, to thousands of people every year. The research and academic medical physics partnership with MBP and Louisiana State University is also funded in part by the C.A.R.E. Network.