Did you know that prostate cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer for men behind skin cancer? During his lifetime, a man has about a 1 in 10 chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States.
In observance of National Prostate Cancer Awareness month, Habersham Medical Center urges men to ‘be a real man’ and get screened for prostate cancer. During your annual wellness checkup, ask your physician if you should be screened for prostate cancer. This usually involves a PSA test and an exam. A PSA test is a blood test that checks for the prostate-specific antigen, a protein made by the prostate.
The risk for developing prostate cancer increases with age, and it is recommended that every man over the age of 50 have a yearly prostate cancer screening. According to the American Cancer Society, 66 percent of prostate cancers occur in men over the age of 65. Screening for prostate cancer can detect the disease when no symptoms are present, and can help catch it at an early stage when treatment is thought to be more effective and chances of recovery are increased.
For more information, visit the American Cancer Society website, at www.cancer.org or consult your physician.
About Habersham Medical Center:
Recognized throughout the state for innovative award-winning patient care, Habersham Medical Center offers Northeast Georgians a full-range of award-winning healthcare services in a newly-expanded modern facility. In addition to emergency, diagnostic and inpatient services, Habersham Medical Center also offers a pain management clinic; a sleep lab; HCMC Home Care; the Total Fitness Exercise Facility; physical, speech and occupational therapy; a primary care clinic called Prime Care, WorkWise Occupational Health and more. For more information, visit www.habershammedical.com.
About the author:
April James is Director of Business Development at Habersham Medical Center in Demorest, GA.
