Episcopal Health Services prostate cancer alert: Free screenings and advice

Episcopal Health Services (EHS) hosted a free prostate cancer screening as September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month approached.

The event, including PSA blood testing and one-on-one consultations with physicians, took place at the Walsh Ambulatory Pavilion in Far Rockaway, opposite EHS’ St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.

Prostate cancer affects approximately one in eight men. When detected early, it is highly treatable and patients have more treatment options available.

Sheldon Pike, MD, chief of urology, and Mark Ashamalla, MD, chief of radiation oncology, provided this advice:

•Maintain a healthy weight and exercise daily. It is recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderate intense activity each week or for 30 minutes 5 days a week.

•Choose to eat healthy foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables; reduce your intake of red meat, especially high fat or processed meats and limit your intake of high fat dairy products.

•Know your family history. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles your risk of developing disease.

•Avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol.

•Get screened. The American Cancer Society recommends that average-risk men get screened at age 50; high-risk men, including African American men and those with a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age get screened at age 45; and highest-risk men with multiple first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age get screened at age 40. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk and how often you should be screened.

Reported by EHS.