At Saturday’s LifeStyle Festival/Healthy Encores Health Awareness Day at Tutu Park Mall, men in St. Thomas will have the life-saving chance to get screened for cancer – and it will be free of charge.
The festival will offer free prostate cancer screening, along with the chance to seek further medical assistance if needed.
According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be an estimated 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer this year. An estimated 27,360 men will die of it.
That’s why Maria Quinquilla of the Pavia Hospital Information center says it’s important that men – especially if they are older or African-American – get screened.
“It’s the most common cancer in American men – it’s more common in black men,” she said. Quinquilla said most men who have prostate cancer don’t have symptoms.
Participants will have their blood taken and screened for prostate specific antigen – or PSA. “When the levels are high, it could be a determining factor,” she said.
The blood samples will be taken to a lab and the results will be reviewed by a urologist. Then, participants will get those results in the mail, along with information on how to contact a physician.
Those participating can get other health screenings free of charge as well. Health officials will be on hand testing eyesight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as assessing for HIV, diabetes and kidney function. There will also be food demonstrations and nutrition experts.
LifeStyle Festival/Healthy Encores Health Awareness Day is free of charge and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tutu Park Mall. It will be followed by the “Stop the Violence” concert at Coral World in Smith Bay.
