Comprehensive Cancer Care Hosts "A Community Conversation on Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Education"

EXTON, PA – In its continued efforts to increase awareness about the prevention, early detection and treatment of prostate cancer, Bayer Healthcare and Comprehensive Cancer Care, a Vantage Oncology affiliate, hosted “A Community Conversation on Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Education” on Saturday, November 14th at Lincoln University, in Coatesville, PA.

Open to the public, men from throughout the community received free prostate health screenings provided by Comprehensive Cancer Care, heard educational presentations by survivors, health professionals and caregivers, including remarks from Senator Andrew S. Dinniman, who is a prostate cancer survivor.

“Thought it is not an issue many men are comfortable talking about, prostate cancer affects so very many of us,” said Dinniman, who serves on Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. “And as men, we owe it to ourselves, as well as to our children and families, to know the risks of prostate cancer and talk to our doctors about getting screened.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015, 220,800 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 27,540 will die from the disease. With the help of early detection and advanced surgical and radiation therapy treatments, more than 2.5 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today.

“We continue to make tremendous progress in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer. However, these advancements are for naught if we can’t convince men to visit their doctor to receive life-saving screenings,” said Won S. Chang, M.D., radiation oncologist and medical director at Comprehensive Cancer Care. “Our number one goal for this event is to educate our community members about prostate cancer. By having physicians, cancer survivors and educational information available to those in attendance, our hope is that they will be inspired to become more vigilant and proactive about their own health.”

Prostate cancer is often diagnosed following an initial screening through a digital rectal examination (DRE) and a PSA blood test. An elevated PSA level in the blood stream may indicate prostate cancer, but not always. Therefore, if either the DRE or PSA is abnormal, additional tests including ultrasound or urinalysis are conducted before a prostate biopsy is performed.

The doctors at Comprehensive Cancer Care strongly advise men to talk about risk factors, family history, and personal health with their doctor to determine the best prostate health recommendations. Bayer Healthcare and Comprehensive Cancer Care reminded patients that early detection is key improving treatment outcomes for those diagnosed. “For men over 40 and who have a family history of prostate cancer, they should initiate a conversation with their physician so that they can create a plan of attack about when and how often they should be screened,” added Dr. Chang.

The event’s sponsors included: Bayer Healthcare; Vantage Oncology; Comprehensive Cancer Care – A Vantage Oncology Affiliate; Us Too; Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Coalition; Lincoln University – Coatesville; Brandywine Hospital; Coatesville & Vicinity Ministerial Alliance; and Bethel AME Church – South Coatesville.

Comprehensive Cancer Care is part of Vantage Oncology, which includes more than 50 cancer treatment centers in 13 states providing quality, personalized care in a community setting.