Free prostate cancer screenings end in June

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will continue to offer free prostate cancer screenings in June for men aged 50 and older. The 20-minute screening includes a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, heart age analysis and health education material. Funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health, these screenings will end in June. Based on guidelines from the American Urological Association and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, men aged 40 and over who are African American or have a higher risk due to family history can also be screened.

Appointments are available online at www.mcdh.info or call 815-334-4580 for the following locations:

· 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Mon. June 1, Huntley Park District, 12015 Mill St., Huntley

· 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thurs June 4, Marengo-Union Library, 19714 E Grant Hwy, Marengo

· 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wed. June 17, McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy 14, Crystal Lake

For those businesses who would like to host a screening for employees as part of a wellness program, please contact MCDH’s Health Promotion staff at 815-334-4580 to make arrangements. Since February 7, MCDH has screened 264 men. Feedback has been positive as participants have shared stories of family or friends who were diagnosed with early prostate cancer which was treated successfully. The PSA is one tool in assessing men’s overall health.

For more information about prostate health, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/index.htm.

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