One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Local groups, including the NAACP, New Hanover Medical Center, and the Urology Associates, are banding together to help men catch the disease early, while its easier to treat.
Free prostate screenings will be provided to uninsured and underinsured men who are over 40 years of age at the New Hanover County Health Department on Saturday, September 20, from 8 o’clock to 11 o’clock. The screenings will include a prostate exam, blood test, and, if needed, a referral for follow-up with a doctor. Carla Turner, Personal Health Services Manager, says that avenues are available for treatment, even if the patient does not have medical insurance:
"We have a grant that we received several years ago through the generosity of the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation, and we’re able to use that to get them their first follow-up visit with the physician. And then Dr. Whiteside and his colleagues are fabulous about working with that client and getting them in and getting them the treatment that they need. They tend to do it based on the Medicaid rate, which is the lowest rate as far as the charge, and they work with that client to make sure that they get the care that they need. "
Information will be provided on how to sign up for affordable care, tobacco cessation, and cancer support groups.