Complimentary Prostate Cancer Screening in Southbridge

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. - March 24, 2014 - PRLog -- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men with about 233,000 new cases of the disease expected in 2014.

In an attempt to combat that trend, Radiation Therapy Services at Central Massachusetts Cancer Center and 21^st Century C.A.R.E. foundation are hosting a free screening event for prostate cancer.

The event will be on Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Radiation Therapy Services at Central Massachusetts Cancer Center, 55 Sayles Street Southbridge, MA 01550. The event is open to the public and appointments are recommended. Call (508) 765-6830 to reserve your spot.

Harrington Hospital urologist Jeffrey Steinberg, M.D., M.H.C.M., F.A.C.S., a specialist in men's health and diseases, will be conducting the free prostate cancer screenings. Tests offered include the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). The use of the PSA test in conjunction with a DRE is FDA approved to test asymptomatic men for prostate cancer.

Who should get tested?

The American Cancer Society recommends men learn as much as they can about prostate cancer screening risks and benefits and discuss the information with their doctor before deciding whether to be tested. Men at average risk of prostate cancer should have this discussion starting at age 50. Men at higher than average risk should have the discussion starting at age 40 or 45. Higher than average risk factors for prostate cancer include African American men, and men who have a father, brother, or son who were diagnosed with prostate cancer when they were younger than 65 are at high risk. Men with more than one of these close relatives diagnosed before age 65 are at even higher risk.

What are the potential warning signs of prostate cancer?

Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Advanced prostate cancers can cause some symptoms, such as:

Problems passing urine, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night.
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Trouble getting an erection (impotence)
Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer spread to bones
Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.

Other diseases can also cause many of these same symptoms. For example, trouble passing urine is much more often caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) than cancer. Still, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any of these problems so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

The event is presented by Radiation Therapy Services at Central Massachusetts Cancer Center in conjunction with Harrington Hospital.

For more information or to RSVP for the free screening event, call (508) 765-6830.

For more information about Radiation Therapy Services at Central Massachusetts Cancer Center, a 21^st Century Oncology affiliate, visit www.21cOncologySouthbridge.com.

About 21^st Century Oncology:

21^st Century Oncology is the largest global, physician led provider of Integrated Cancer Care services. The company offers a comprehensive range of cancer treatment services, focused on delivering academic quality, cost-effective patient care in personal and convenient settings. The company operates 179 treatment centers, including 145 centers located in 16 U.S. states. The company also operates 34 centers located in six countries in Latin America. The company holds market-leading positions in most of its domestic local markets and abroad.