DOWAGIAC – To help combat the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital will offer lifesaving prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27.

“The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 27,000 American men will lose their lives to prostate cancer this year,” said Dr. M.L. Orca, urologist, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “The good news is that if it’s detected early through a simple and painless PSA test, prostate cancer can often be successfully treated.”

A PSA test is a painless screening that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen, a substance released into a man’s blood by the prostate gland.

Low amounts of PSA may be found in a healthy 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.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men receive a yearly PSA blood test and a digital rectal examination (DRE) from a trained health care provider beginning at age 50. Men at high risk, including African Americans and those with a family history of prostate cancer, should talk to their doctor about getting screened at an earlier age.

In addition to offering PSA tests for $25, Dr. Orca will provide area men with free medical examinations.

Free colorectal cancer screening kits, along with blood pressure and glucose (sugar) testing, will also be available.

To schedule an appointment, call (269) 783-3075 Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Men scheduling a PSA screening should bring a self-addressed envelope, as well as an envelope addressed to their doctor, with them to their appointment.