The Man Van sits parked outside London Drugs on Saturday afternoon.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Saturday saw the Man Van return to Medicine Hat for the day, offering free blood testing that for many men could mean all the difference when it comes to the early detection of prostate cancer.
The van, hosted by the Rockyview Hospital out of Calgary, spent several hours parked outside London Drugs in town. From there, they saw men between the ages of 40 and 70 for prostate-specific androgen, or PSA, blood testing.
Philip Buisseret chairman of the Medicine Hat and Area Prostate Cancer Support Society, explained that one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, and for all of the people who are currently part of the support society, Buisseret suspects that over 90 per cent found out via regular PSA screening.
Elevated PSA levels may reveal prostate cancer that’s likely to spread to other parts of the body or may reveal a quick growing cancer that’s likely to cause other problems. Early treatment can help catch the cancer before it becomes life threatening or causes serious symptoms.
The Medicine Hat and Area Prostate Cancer Support Society wished to thank Southland Transportation for their donation of a bus for the men to wait in until their number was called for testing, as well as Tim Hortons and Reg’s Homestyle Meats & Deli for their contribution of snacks.
