ST. JOSEPH –  To raise awareness of the second most common form of cancer found in men, Lakeside Urology and Continence Center, in support of National Prostate Health Month, is offering free prostate cancer screenings, no appointment needed.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. One in six men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime, and one in 35 men will die of this disease.

However, the death rate for prostate cancer is decreasing, and the disease is being diagnosed and treated earlier as well. Because early prostate cancer has no symptoms, men over the age of 50, or men with a family history of prostate cancer, are encouraged to be screened.

The screenings will be provided at Lakeside Urology – St. Joseph, 815 St. Joseph Drive, on Monday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. At Lakeside Urology – Niles, 24 North St. Joseph Avenue, Suite F, screenings will take place on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The screenings will measure the amount of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in blood, which can often find prostate cancer early.

St. Joseph resident Bill Cox was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003, after screening results showed a steady incline in the amount of PSA in his blood, and encourages all men to be aware of the disease.

“I’ve told so many men what a valuable tool screenings are,” Cox said. “Men need to know to get over the embarrassment and get screened, because the earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better.”

For more information, contact Lakeside Urology and Continence Center at (269) 983-3455 in St. Joseph, or (269) 684-5447 in Niles.