LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Men in Louisville had the opportunity to take an important step toward protecting their health this weekend.
Norton West Louisville Hospital hosted a free prostate cancer screenings and education event Saturday afternoon. There were blood draw screenings and resources offered to men at increased risk for the disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Black men face an even greater risk and are about twice as likely to die from the disease as white men.
Dr. Steven Patton said regular screenings are important because many men don't realize prostate cancer often develops without symptoms.
"If you get it checked early and able to see it, normally if the cancer hasn't spread beyond the prostate, it's almost greater than 90% chance of survival," Patton said. "...Versus if you wait, let it spread on, chances become less than 30% survival rate."
Patton said deciding when to get screened depends on someone's risk factors.
Most men should begin discussing prostate cancer screening with their doctor around age 50, he said. Black men and those with a father or brother who had prostate cancer may need to start as early as age 45.
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer.
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