Dr. Pai Schedules Annual Free Prostate Clinic

PARSONS, Kan. – Sept. 8,, 2011 – Dr. V.S. Pai and the Labette Health Laboratory will once again offer a free prostate clinic for all males over the age of 50 who have not had a prostate screening in the past year. The clinic will be offered at Labette Health Friday, September 23, and Tuesday, October 4.

September is National Prostate Health Month. The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 240,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, and almost 34,000 will die from the disease. Although it is one of the most common diseases in men, there are usually few or no symptoms in its early stages. Cancer that is detected early has a better chance of successful treatment. More than 50 percent of men in their 60s and as many as 90 percent in their 70s and older have symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Prostatitis, painful swelling or inflammation of the prostate gland, affects 35 percent of men aged 50 and older.

The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association recommend annual screenings for every man over 50. Men in high risk groups — African-American men or those with a family history of the disease — should start getting screened for the disease at age 40. The Labette Health screenings will consist of a free examination courtesy of Dr. Pai, a board-certified urologist, plus a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test to detect markers indicating that the body is responding to cancer in the prostate. In most cases, the entire screening takes only 15-30 minutes. Clinic hours will be 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Past screenings have attracted more than 220 participants between the two sessions, and a limited number of exam slots are available. Although the exam is free, an appointment is required – call 620-820-5444 to register.

Screenings will take place in a suite that formerly housed Labette Health’s Wound and Skin Healing Center in the physician clinic area on the north side of the hospital.