September 10, 2004

‘No Excuses’
Moores UCSD Cancer Center Offers
Free Prostate Health Screening

The Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center is sponsoring free prostate cancer screenings for men age 50 and over (or age 45 and over for men in high-risk groups such as African American men, or those with a family history of prostate cancer).

“We’re calling this screening event ‘No Excuses’ because we have removed the barriers that often keep men from having this very important health check,” said Carol Salem, M.D., assistant professor of surgery and director of the Cancer Center’s Urologic Cancer Unit. “There are several days and times to choose from, the screenings are free and offered on a walk-in basis, and parking is free.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (other than skin cancer), and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. This year more than 200,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. One out of six men will develop prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime.

Prostate cancer is curable if detected early, but there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Screening is the only way this cancer can be found early, according to Salem.

The screenings are scheduled for

• 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at UCSD Medical Center, Hillcrest
• 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at UCSD Thornton Hospital, La Jolla
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept 25, also at Thornton Hospital.

The screening takes only a few minutes and consists of a digital rectal examination and a PSA blood test. Participants will be notified of test results by mail. No appointments are necessary, and free parking is available.

For directions and further information call 1-800-926-UCSD.

This community service is co-sponsored by UCSD Healthcare.