NYU Winthrop, Phillips sponsoring free prostate cancer screening, educational program

The Island Now

 

State Sen. Elaine Phillips and Dr. Aaron Katz, chairman of Urology at NYU Winthrop Hospital, will offer a Free Prostate Cancer Screening and Educational Program on Saturday, April 2t beginning at 8:30 a.m. at NYU Winthrop’s Research and Academic Center.

The program is open to all men 40 and over who have not previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer, regardless of insurance coverage.

Participants will be offered a free PSA (prostate-specific antigen blood test), which is a diagnostic tool for helping to detect prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the U.S., and about one man in nine will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.

“The most important weapon we have against prostate cancer is early detection. With early detection, prostate cancer can be a very treatable disease,” said Katz. “By collaborating with Senator Phillips, we are raising the visibility of this issue in our communities, and that’s key to saving lives and eradicating prostate cancer.”

Katz recommends every man get a baseline PSA screening, starting at age 40.

“We’ve seen cuts in government coverage for preventive health care like PSA screenings, while the costs for treating cancer continue to rise,” said Phillip. “I cannot stress enough the importance of being your own advocate. Educate yourself and your loved ones, and make health your priority and personal responsibility.”

To register for the Free Prostate Cancer Screening and Educational Program, email Kate Owens at kowens@nyuwinthrop.org or call 516-663-2316. The location of NYU Winthrop’s Research and Academic Center is 101 Mineola Blvd. in Mineola.
According to Katz there are also many things that men can do to reduce or delay their risk of developing prostate cancer:

• Eat fewer calories or exercise more to maintain a healthy weight.
• Try to keep the amount of fat you get from red meat and dairy products to a minimum.
• Watch your calcium intake. Do not take supplemental doses far above the recommended daily allowance, such as above 1,500 mg.
• Eat more fish. Evidence from studies suggests that fish can help protect against prostate cancer because fish have “good fat,” particularly omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid trans fatty acids (found in margarine).
• Try incorporating into weekly meals tomatoes cooked with olive oil and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, which have been shown to be beneficial. Soy and green tea are dietary components that may be helpful as well.
• Avoid smoking, and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
• Seek medical treatment for stress, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and depression. Treating these conditions will improve survivorship of prostate cancer.
• Avoid megavitamins. Too many vitamins, especially folate, may “fuel the cancer,” and while a multivitamin is not likely to be harmful, a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and healthy oils will eliminate the need for a multivitamin.
• You should consider a yearly rectal examination and PSA test if you are in higher-risk groups: age 50 or over; an African-American age 40 or over; or if you have a family history of prostate cancer.

 

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