Free prostate cancer screenings to be offered Sept. 26 at Hannibal Regional Medical Group

HANNIBAL, Mo. — In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness month, Hannibal Regional Medical Group is offering free prostate cancer screenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at Hannibal Regional Medical Group. An appointment is required and can be made by calling 573-629-3532.

In a press release, Dr. Viacheslav Iremashvili, urologist at Hannibal Regional Medical Group, said, “Prostate cancer is one of a few tumors for which we have a safe and effective way of early detection through PSA blood test and prostate exam. The screening allows us to find prostate cancers early on when they are still curable and therefore save lives.”

Screenings are the only way to catch prostate cancer before it becomes dangerous. Screenings are not just for men who might have symptoms of prostate cancer.  Since all men are at risk for prostate cancer, Iremashvili suggests “all men over the age of 55 should be screened every year for the disease.”

Prostate cancer develops more often in African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry than those of other races. Those men should be screened annually beginning at age 40. Having one or more close relatives with prostate cancer also increases a man’s risk of having prostate cancer. These people also should be screened annually beginning at age 40.

Prostate cancer has no symptoms in its early stages of development. Most men who have prostate cancer may not even know it, which is why regular screenings are so important. The screening includes a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The tests can often detect cancer before it becomes symptomatic, leading to earlier treatments and better outcomes. The free screenings are provided by medical professionals from Hannibal Regional Medical Group.

Some symptoms should raise a red flag for any man. These symptoms, which also could appear with benign enlargement of the prostate, might be experienced as prostate cancer progresses.

Symptoms are:

• difficulty starting urination
• a need to urinate frequently (especially at night)
• inability to urinate, weak or interrupted flow of urine (dribbling)
• painful or burning urination, painful ejaculation
• blood in urine or semen
• frequent pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs