Early detection is the key to successful treatment

For Immediate Release	Contact: Joyce Faria Brennan
February 6, 2007	508-961-5270
	brennanj@southcoast.org
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WAREHAM, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals will offer a free prostate cancer screening on Sunday, February 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tobey Hospital. The screenings will be conducted by Southcoast oncologist Herbert Hansen, MD.

Appointments are necessary. For a screening appointment call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 1-800-497-1727.

Men over the age of 40, particularly African-American men are urged to take advantage of this free screening. Studies have shown that African American men are at increased risk for the disease. The prostate cancer screening tests consist of two parts, the prostate specific antigen test (PSA) and a digital rectal exam, both of which take less than five minutes to conduct.

"Early prostate cancer usually does not have any symptoms and can go undetected without regular testing. By receiving simple blood screenings and exams, prostate cancer can be detected five or more years earlier than it would have been detected otherwise," said Frances Fuller, RN, MS, Director of Oncology & Specialty Services for Southcoast Hospitals Group. "Early detection is the key to successful treatment."

Southcoast's free screening will be staffed by health professionals who have extensive experience in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, all men are at risk for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men in the United States. The best defense against prostate cancer is early detection and annual screenings. (For more information: http://www.southcoast.org/healthtips/prostate/index.htm)

About Southcoast

Southcoast Health System, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of advanced health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes Southcoast Hospitals Group, formed in 1996 from the merger of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Southcoast has more than 40 ancillary facilities, including the Southcoast Health Van, home health care, hospice and infusion services, numerous outpatient medical services, an assisted living facility and a wellness center. For more information visit www.southcoast.org.

Southcoast is one of three community hospitals approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to perform open heart surgery and primary angioplasty beginning in Spring 2002.

Media Contact

Joyce Faria Brennan
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org