Nov. 23, 2008 — Though the line snaked down the hall and out the door of Juan F. Luis Hospital on Sunday, it moved quickly, allowing more than 300 men and more than 700 people in all to get screened for prostate cancer or get their annual flu shot.
The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screenings, while no cure, increase the chance of catching prostate cancer and beginning treatment early. There will be about 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2008, and about 28,660 men will die of the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. Prostate cancer is more common in older men, black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, said Dr. Emmanuel Graham, urologist at the hospital.
The PSA test looks for a very specific protein put out by the prostate. High levels of PSA are correlated with prostate cancer, though the relationship is not perfect. Most who show high levels do not have cancer, and some who do not may nonetheless have the disease. But it is a valuable marker indicating a patient should undergo more tests. A physical, digital exam was offered free of charge, as well. Combining both tests is the most comprehensive approach.
The two days of free testing were put together by United Way of St. Croix, Pavia Information Center and the hospital.
"This is the second year here we've had the PSA clinic on St. Croix, and our third time on St. Thomas," said Maria Quinquilla, a Pavia representative for St. Thomas. "Throughout the year we try to bring services in that are needed locally."
Pavia is a private hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It operates information centers on St. Croix and St. Thomas, referring patients to San Juan for treatment, therapies and procedures either not offered or in short supply in the territory and beyond.
"We do referrals throughout the Caribbean, from Antigua to Trinidad," said Gladys Cuencas, speaking by phone from Pavia's Puerto Rico headquarters.
If you need to fly to Puerto Rico for treatment, Pavia can get you airline tickets at a medical discount, too, Cuencas said.
Ana Davila of the United Way and AARP Executive Director Denyce Singleton were both helping to organize the flow of traffic Sunday, guiding the long line of men to the right lines for the PSA and physical exam, and seniors, both men and women, for an annual flu shot.
The procedure: Fill out a form, take it with you to the next station, make a fist, try to relax as a very professional nurse gently and methodically bands your arm, has you make a fist, then a quick jab in the inner elbow for the PSA. Those who signed up for the physical exam then waited a few more minutes to be called into one of two examination rooms for a very quick, painless exam.
If you got a flu shot as well, there was one line left, and some quick questions: "Are you on any medication? Are you allergic to eggs?" then a momentary pinch in the upper arm and you're done and on your way home. Fast, painless, free of charge and potentially lifesaving.
If you didn't make it this year, go to your family doctor. Or if that isn't an option, mark the calendar for next year. In addition to the aforementioned groups, others contributing material, money or labor were the V.I. Clinical Laboratory, Hovensa, Greenleaf VI, Continuum Care and SkyMed USVI.
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