The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation makes it easy to find a free community screening in your area, and it’s a great way to take charge of your health as you approach middle age. Unfortunately, many men neglect to schedule an annual health screening or get physicals, claiming they’re “too busy” or offering numerous other excuses. We don’t have the power to force men to make better health decisions, but what we can do is ensure that the process is quick, free of charge, and completely confidential!
The good news is that not all prostate cancer is life-threatening, and there are many cases where a man can live the duration of his life without symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and early screening and detection are the key to obtaining the best clinical outcomes. Our screening events are administered through a partnership with Baptist Health, and support from other laboratory providers may also be secured where available. Our screening events are always open to the public, and no appointment is ever required.
Physicians or other onsite professionals will most typically use the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test, which only requires a blood draw. PSA is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland, and elevated levels can indicate either cancer or benign (non-cancerous) tissues. Less frequently, physicians might also perform a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), which involves inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland through the rectal wall and check for bumps or abnormalities. The DRE exam has never been particularly popular with patients, for obvious reasons, but is now used far less frequently than the PSA test during prostate cancer screenings.
A biopsy is the only conclusive way to determine the presence of prostate cancer, and if the onsite physicians encounter suspicious test results during a community screening, the APCF Patient Navigator will make further contact with patients to explain test results, answer questions, and advise a urological consult if more investigation is warranted. We also offer a frequently asked questions page, and we’re always a phone call away if you don’t find the answer to your specific question on our website!
To learn more about prostate health or cancer screenings in Little Rock, contact us online or at 501-379-8027
