This special event, “Prostate Cancer: From Screening to Survivorship,” will feature panel discussions on topics including early detection of prostate cancer, treatment options, research findings and the Cancer Wellness Program of the FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness. David Allen, M.D., and Todd Moore, M.D., medical oncologists at Moore Regional Hospital, will each moderate a panel comprised of physicians specializing in such areas as urology, general surgery and radiation oncology. All will offer their unique expertise on the topic of prostate cancer.
The June 13 seminar will be from 9 to 11 a.m. in Monroe Auditorium in the hospital’s Conference Center. For an hour before the seminar, from 8 to 9 a.m., free blood tests to screen for elevated PSA levels – a possible indication of prostate cancer – will be available, along with a light breakfast and educational exhibits.
The June 16 seminar, also in Monroe Auditorium, is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Free PSA screenings, a healthy snack and educational exhibits will be available from 5 to 6 p.m.
These prostate cancer awareness events are funded by grants from the Moore Regional Hospital Foundation and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was established in memory of former N.C. State University men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died of cancer.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with The V Foundation to help raise awareness of prostate cancer and issues related to its diagnosis and treatment,” says Kathleen Stockham, president of the Foundation of FirstHealth.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, accounting for almost one-third of all male cancer cases in the United States.
“We see a great many men with prostate cancer here, partly because of the relatively high percentage of older men in this region,” says Stephen King, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Moore Regional. “So we feel it is particularly important to make men aware of what prostate cancer is, how to be screened for it and what treatments are available. One of the things we want to emphasize is that, here at Moore Regional, we offer some of the most advanced treatments for prostate cancer that are available anywhere.”
When prostate cancer is detected and treated early, the survival rate is nearly 100 percent. While prostate cancer screenings are generally recommended for men over 40, Dr. King noted that there has recently been conflicting information in the news media and on the Internet about the value of PSA screenings.
“That can be confusing to a lay person and might discourage people from getting screened when they really should do it,” he says. “Our goal with this awareness event is to provide the kind of accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information that men need.”
Rae Williams, FirstHealth’s administrative director of medical practice management, says another goal is to encourage men to talk about prostate issues and to take advantage of the resources that are available.
“I don’t think the average man talks as much about prostate cancer and recovery as the average woman talks about breast cancer,” says Williams. “There seems to be so much in the news about breast cancer, but much less about prostate cancer. In that respect, men in our society have been shortchanged.”
According to Williams, the prostate cancer awareness event is part of FirstHealth’s attempt to remedy that.
“In addition to giving men a heads-up on the signs and symptoms and the importance of early detection,” she says, “we want men to know that if they do develop prostate cancer, there are good treatment options and a network of services and resources available to help them have a quality life.”
For men who are unable to attend either of the programs or screenings at the hospital, free prostate cancer screenings will be offered as follows:
June 13, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness on Teal Drive in Raeford
June 15, 7 to 11 a.m., at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Southern Pines
June 16, 8 a.m. to noon, at Friendly Chevrolet in Troy
June 18, 7 to 11 a.m., at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Rockingham
June 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Kerr Drug on South Horner Boulevard in Sanford
The FirstHealth prostate cancer seminars are free, but registration in advance is recommended because space is limited. You can register by calling (800) 213-3284 toll-free.
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