The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation has a threefold mission to educate Arkansans, to encourage the timely detection of prostate cancer, and to engage men and their families with personal guidance from the day of diagnosis through survivorship. We make it easy to find a free community screening in your area, and we host virtual support groups to ensure that those who are affected by prostate cancer never have to go through the journey alone!
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. Not all prostate cancer is life-threatening, and there are many cases where a man can live the duration of his life without symptoms. There is currently no consensus among the medical community about when men should be routinely screened for prostate cancer, and we offer a patient decision aid to help you determine when you should begin.
Our screening events are administered through a partnership with Baptist Health, and support from other laboratory providers may also be secured where available. The events are free to the public and completely confidential, and physicians onsite will use one or both of the following tests to screen for prostate cancer:
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test—A PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland, and elevated levels can indicate either cancer or benign (non-cancerous) tissues.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)—The DRE test involves a doctor inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland through the rectal wall and check for bumps or abnormalities. Most patients dread the DRE test because of the discomfort and embarrassment, but the good news is that it’s now used far less frequently than the PSA test during prostate cancer screenings.
If the onsite physicians encounter suspicious test results during a community screening, the APCF Patient Navigator will make contact with patients to explain test results, answer questions, and advise a urological consult if more investigation or a biopsy is warranted. We’re also a phone call away if you have any questions, and we offer a host of free online educational resources!
To learn more about prostate health or cancer screenings in Little Rock, contact us online or at 501-379-8027
