Perham Memorial Hospital and MeritCare Perham are offering their annual prostate cancer screening clinic for men with a family history of prostate cancer or age 50 and older from 1:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the MeritCare clinic in Perham, 665 3rd Street SW.
According to local surgeon Dr. Rand Stolee, who will provide the exam, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
"Most prostate cancers occur in men over 50, and more than 80 percent occur in men over 65," he said. "When detected early, prostate cancer can be treated effectively."
Stolee went on to say that men with a history of prostate cancer in their family should consider an exam before the age of 50.
The clinic is offered to men 40 years of age and older who have a family history of prostate cancer and men over 50 who do not have prostate cancer and who have not been screened in the past year. A fee will apply and includes the PSA blood test and a prostate exam by a physician. Both parts of the screening must be performed for accurate results.
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Men wanting to participate in the screening clinic should call MeritCare Perham at (218) 347-1200 to arrange for the blood test and screening appointment. The blood test needs to be completed before the screening date on Sept. 17.
Any person with abnormal findings will be referred to consultation with an urologist. Normal results will be reported on the day of the exam. A volunteer with the American Cancer Society will also be on hand to answer questions regarding prostate cancer screening and other cancer related issues.
