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Men’s Health Month is celebrated in June and is a good time to raise awareness about lifestyle choices and preventative health steps men can take to stay healthy. Men are on average less likely to see their doctor regularly than women.
This month, Sidney Cancer Care Health Center and the Richland County The Department of Health is teaming up to host a free men’s health screening Friday, June 18 by appointment from noon to 4 p.m. at Cancer Care Suite, 214 14th Ave. SW, Sidney. This free colorectal and prostate cancer screening for men aged 55-75 will include PSA (prostate specific antigen) lab test, DRE (digital rectal exam) by Dr Ralf Kiehl, radio- oncologist and a free FIT (fecal immunochemical test) kit to take home.
To take advantage of this free screening, people are invited to call Sidney Oncology suite at the Health Center at 406-488-2504 to make an appointment. Getting tested for colorectal and prostate cancer could save a life. On average, the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about one in 23 for men and women combined. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, over 2.9 million men in the United States who were diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.
“The key to improving health care outcomes is the systematic screening and early diagnosis of cancer,” says Dr. Kiehl. “Usually, in rural areas, patients do not see a doctor until they are late in the course of their disease. I think we need to provide opportunities for people living in the MyDak region to be assessed regularly.
The American Cancer Society encourages people who have no identified risk (other than age) to start regular colorectal cancer screening at age 50. Regular screening can, in many cases, completely prevent colorectal cancer. This is because some polyps, or growths, can be detected and removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer.
There are several different tests that can be used to screen for colorectal cancer. However, a colonoscopy is considered the “gold standard” for testing because all other tests must be followed by a colonoscopy if anything is discovered. This type of screening is recommended every ten years.
The on-the-go FIT kit checks for tiny amounts of blood in the stool, as cancers of the colon and rectum sometimes bleed. To perform this test, individuals will take the kit home and return a sample to the laboratory for analysis.
With recommended screening, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer can be prevented or detected at an early stage. If you’re 55 or older, take the time to attend the Men’s Health Screening on June 18. All participants will receive a complimentary drink card at a local establishment.
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