Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer among men (behind lung cancer) in the U.S. and is among the leading causes of death among men worldwide.

Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital seeks to help combat the cancer rate by hosting a free prostate screening clinic from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in the Urology Clinic on the second floor of the hospital. The clinic will include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and digital rectal exams (DREs).

“This is an important community event,” said Anthony R. Gauthier, MD, board-certified urologist, Borgess Lee Medical Group. “According to the American Cancer Society, about one man in 36 will die of prostate cancer. The good news is most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, more than 2.5 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed at some point are still alive today. If prostate cancer is detected early through simple and painless testing, it can often be successfully treated.”

The PSA test is a painless screening that measures the amount of PSA, a substance released into a man’s blood by the prostate gland. Low amounts of PSA may be found in a health man’s blood: however, this substance typically increases as the prostate enlarges with age. PSA may also increase due to inflammation of the prostate gland or prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer testing is recommended for men 50 years of age and older. Test results will be confidentially mailed to participants, and if requested, to their physicians.

To learn more or to register for this free screening event, call 269-783-3053. Restrictions may apply. Reservations are encouraged due to space limitations.