General Information: (434) 654-7000 OR 1-800-633-6353
Having a prostate exam shouldn’t be cause for concern or fear. This screening is painless and takes just minutes to perform.
What is frightening is that nearly one man in six will get prostate cancer at some point in his life. And risk factors like having a family history of prostate cancer, eating a diet high in fats and red meats or simply getting older can increase your chances of getting this disease.
Prostate exams can detect cancer early when treatment is most effective. Since there are typically no symptoms of prostate cancer, these exams can save your life. In fact, if cancer is caught early, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent.
How Do Doctors Screen for Prostate Cancer?
There are two tests that doctors currently use to screen for prostate cancer. The primary method is a digital rectal exam (DRE). The second is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The presence of higher levels of PSA in the blood may indicate prostate cancer.
Martha Jefferson’s Free Screening
Each Fall, Martha Jefferson Hospital provides a free Prostate Screening. Participants receive a prostate-antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital exam (DRE) by a Martha Jefferson urologist. Designed for men age 50 and over, or age 45 if African American or have a family history of prostate cancer. Men who have no health insurance or primary care physician are encouraged to attend. No appointments necessary; screenings are available on a first-arrival basis. For more information call Health Connection at (434) 654-7009 or toll-free at 1-888-652-6663.
Anxious about your first visit to the cancer center? Knowing what to expect can help.
Simple screening tests can help detect many cancers in the earliest stages, when they can be treated successfully.
You can be confident that the treatment you receive at Martha Jefferson Hospital is the best available.
