PHILADELPHIA – Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, other than skin cancers, in American men and it remains the second leading cause of cancer death behind lung cancer. African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world – and – it strikes them at a younger age.
There is good news, however: prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if detected early. Put quite simply, no man is this day and age should die of prostate cancer. However, because symptoms of prostate cancer may not occur until the disease is advanced, screening is the most important test every man can take toward prevention.
In an effort to empower the men of Philadelphia and the surrounding region, the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania is offering free prostate cancer screening, Saturday, March 1st, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the First District Plaza, next to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, 3801 Market Street, Philadelphia. Screenings consist of a physical exam and a prostate-specific antigen – or PSA – blood test, provided free of charge.
All men aged 50 or older are encouraged to make an appointment,
Men at high risk are especially encouraged.
"High risk" includes:
Men aged 45 who are African decent or have a father or brother with prostate cancer before the age of 65.
Men aged 40 who have a father and brother or 2 brothers with prostate cancer before age 65.
Space is limited and appointments are required. To register or for more information, please call
1-800-789-PENN (7366).
Five Tips on Prostate Cancer Prevention
Get Screened -- a simple blood test, a PSA or prostate-specific antigen, and a digital rectal exam are the first steps in prostate cancer detection. Chances of survival rise significantly with early detection and diagnosis.
2) Not for men only: women also play vital role -- As many at 60% of men screened say that their wives, girlfriends, or another female family member encouraged them to get screened for prostate cancer.
3) Diet does make a difference - Studies show that a diet high in dairy and fatty foods, particularly those of animal origin, increase the risk of developing prostate cancer by 80%. Vitamin and mineral supplements and food sources rich in anti-oxidants, such as vitamin E and selenium, have been shown to control cell damage and may prevent prostate cancer.
4) Get moving! - A healthy exercise program will increase circulation, lower stress, and may decrease levels of prostate-stimulating androgens.
5) Do your homework -- The more you know and the earlier you know it, the more control you have over your outcome. Read, ask others, and search on-line to educate yourself about prostate cancer. (www.pennhealth.com/cancer or www.oncolink.org ).
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The Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) of the University of Pennsylvania is a national leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. The pre-eminent position of the Cancer Center is reflected in its continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute for 30 years, one of 39 such Centers in the United States. The ACC is dedicated to innovative and compassionate cancer care. The clinical program, comprised of a dedicated staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, nutritionists and patient support specialists, currently sees over 50,000 outpatient visits, 3400 inpatient admissions, and provides over 25,000 chemotherapy treatments, and more than 65,000 radiation treatments annually. Not only is the ACC dedicated to providing state-of-the-art cancer care, the latest forms of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are available to our patients through clinical themes that developed in the relentless pursuit to eliminate the pain and suffering from cancer. In addition, the ACC is home to the 300 research scientists who work relentlessly to determine the pathogenesis of cancer. Together, the faculty is committed to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer
PENN Medicine is a $3.5 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Penn's School of Medicine is currently ranked #3 in the nation in U.S.News & World Report's survey of top research-oriented medical schools; and, according to most recent data from the National Institutes of Health, received over $379 million in NIH research funds in the 2006 fiscal year. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three hospitals — its flagship hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, rated one of the nation’s “Honor Roll” hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center — a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multi-specialty satellite facilities; and home care and hospice.
Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, excellence in patient care, and community service. The organization consists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Penn’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school.
The Perelman School of Medicine is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $550 million awarded in the 2022 fiscal year. Home to a proud history of “firsts” in medicine, Penn Medicine teams have pioneered discoveries and innovations that have shaped modern medicine, including recent breakthroughs such as CAR T cell therapy for cancer and the mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System’s patient care facilities stretch from the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania to the New Jersey shore. These include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, Lancaster General Health, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and Pennsylvania Hospital—the nation’s first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Medicine at Home, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.
Penn Medicine is an $11.1 billion enterprise powered by more than 49,000 talented faculty and staff.