Health department offers free prostate screenings | News

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- The Madison County Health Department is offering free prostate screenings on Tuesday, July 24th. Doctors said men should get checked for prostate every year after the age of forty. Research shows that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer for men after skin cancer. According to statistics, Alabama has the second highest death rate for prostate cancer in the nation.

The National Cancer Institute estimate 241,740 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012. Doctors said out of that number, more than 28,000 will die from it. The American Cancer Society said nearly one in six men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime; however, it is usually diagnosed after age 40.

Medical experts said prostate cancer is one of the most treatable malignancies, if it's caught early. They said routine screening has improved the diagnosis of prostate cancer in recent years.

The free screenings will take place at the Madison County Health Department Annex building located at 405 Max Luther Drive. Patients can be seen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the health department at (256) 539-3711.

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