Did you know that in Alberta 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime? Prostate cancer is sneaky as it often doesn’t produce symptoms in the early stages. While many men who develop prostate cancer do not have elevated risk factors there are some factors that increase the risk of developing prostate cancer:
The risk of prostate cancer increases as men age. Also, if there is a family history of prostate cancer it increases the risk depending on the relationship to a relative with the disease. Men with prostate cancer should encourage their sons over the age of 40 to get checked. A high-fat diet can also increase the risk. While the risk is higher in black males than in Caucasians and Asians the disease can develop in any male.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include problems with bleeding and/or urination or the inability to urinate due to the invasion of cancer in the area of the prostate. These symptoms can also be caused by benign enlargement of the prostate but should not be dismissed as such, and needs to be investigated. Advanced prostate cancer usually invades the bones and may cause bone pain, most commonly in the lower back and pelvis.
A good way to monitor your prostate health is through a simple blood test called a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein made by the prostate which is found mostly in semen but can also be found in the blood. The PSA blood test checks the level of PSA to see if the level is high and can inform a physician on whether further investigation is required; early detection of prostate cancer is very treatable.
The Prostate Cancer Centre is dedicated to educating men about the importance of early detection and is excited to announce the reopening of the MAN VAN. The MAN VAN is a mobile men’s only health clinic that offers free PSA blood testing for men aged 40-80 throughout Alberta.
The MAN VAN will be in Vermilion on Saturday, September 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vermilion Heritage Park (5320 50 Avenue) where you will receive a free baseline PSA blood test for men ages 40-80. Men over 18 will receive blood, blood sugar, waist circumference, and stress check measurements. There is no appointment necessary to visit the MAN VAN.
The clinic is sponsored by Inter pipeline, and the rural MAN VAN is proudly sponsored by AGAT Labs, Bayer and Nutrien.