(8/27/12) – McLeod Loris Seacoast and Adult & Pediatric Urology Center of the Carolinas will be offering prostate screenings for men 40 and older in September. 

The $20 screenings will include a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test.  Exams will be performed by urologists Dr. Glenn Gangi and Dr. Andrew Grudzinski at their office locations in Little River and Loris.

According to the American Urological Association (AUA), one in six men is affected by prostate cancer and the older a man is the more likely he is to be diagnosed. Recently there has been a debate in the healthcare community about the importance of prostate screenings and whether or not they are cost effective.  According to Dr. Gangi, "Only early detection decreases mortality rates for prostate cancer." 

Because black males are at the highest risk for being affected by prostate cancer, he urges all black males, 40 and older, to have a prostate screening.  White males are urged to have a prostate screening at age 50 unless they have a family history.  Any male with a family history of prostate cancer should seek a screening at age 40.  Genetics is a leading risk factor for prostate cancer so it is important to know your family history.

The prostate screenings will be held at 3716 Casey Street in Loris on Wednesday, September 19 at 3:00 p.m. and Thursday, September 20 at 5:00 p.m.  The screenings in Little River will be held at 3600 Sea Mountain Highway, Suite B, at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19 and Monday, September 24.

“Prostate cancer rates are rising at an alarming rate and there is a need in our community for low cost screenings due to economic hardships,” said Gina Burroughs, Outreach Coordinator for McLeod Loris Seacoast.  “Men 40 and older are urged to have a prostate screening to ensure their longevity and quality of life is not affected by this cancer.”

For more information or to schedule a screening, please call Adult & Pediatric Urology Center of the Carolinas at their Little River office, 843-399-3066, or the Loris office at 843-756-5186. Screenings are by appointment only.