Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men.  This year alone it is predicted that over 190,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

Dedicated to the health of the community, Houston Northwest Medical Center offers an annual preventive prostate cancer screening. The next screening is scheduled for September, 2010.  Reservations are required but are not accepted until 2010. Please check back for more information.

The prostate, a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder in men, is important to bladder control and normal sexual functioning.  Men at higher risk for developing the disease include African Americans and men with a close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65.

Doctors say the best way to beat prostate cancer is by detecting it at its earliest stage.  The American Cancer Society believes that doctors should offer the PSA blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam) yearly, beginning at age 50 to men who do not have any serious medical problems. Men at high risk (African Americans and men who have a close family member with prostate cancer at an early age), should begin testing at age 45.