BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – Tawfik Zein, M.D., board-certified urologist at St. Joseph's Hospital, will offer free prostate cancer screenings this month in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer. Prostate cancer occurs in a male’s reproductive system. One out of every seven men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016, adding to the nearly three million American men currently living with the disease. The cancer cells usually grow very slowly and occur most often in men older than 65 years, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Tips for prostate cancer prevention include:
- Age is the strongest risk factor: Almost two-thirds of prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65.
- Family history can be important: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man's risk.
- Race is a factor: Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men.
- Follow a healthy diet: Eat more low-fat, high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables; limit intake of red or processed meat.
- Diagnosing cancer early: Speak with your physician about your risk for prostate cancer and the benefits of screening. For men at high risk, screening should be considered at 40.
- Screening tests: Screenings consists of a PSA blood test, which measures the level of PSA, a protein that is produced by the prostate gland and a digital rectal exam, which can uncover physical abnormalities of the prostate that may be a sign of cancer.
Dr. Zein’s office is located on the first floor of the St. Joseph’s Physician Office Center on West Main Street in Buckhannon. Call 304-460-7901 and ask to be scheduled for a free prostate cancer screening.