Some area doctors are trying to detect the prostate cancer patients at an early stage by offering free screening for prostate cancer. Every sixth man will contract prostate cancer this year and these screenings are a part of National Prostate Awareness Month.

The screening is very important because if the patients wait for the symptoms before getting treatment then the cancer would have spread too far along to be treated. The symptoms are bloody urine, pain while urinating and erectile dysfunction but these shows up too late for the treatment to be effective.

Dr. Neal Dunn says men want to avoid doctor offices, prostate exams and prostate cancer: "The truth is that they don't like to have their prostate examined and the doctor doesn't like to examine the prostate so there are two unwilling participants in these examinations. On the other hand, this is a very important exam. This is the number two cancer killer of men."

Every year 185,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Experts say that as men age the risk of prostate cancer increases too. It can be detected with a simple blood test and rectal exam. This cancer is not just a physical malfunction; it is a mental setback too.

Dr. Dunn lists out the three worries that men attach with prostate cancer. They want to be cured, they want to control their urine and they want to retain their potency - the three things that are very important to men.

The good news is that prostate cancer can be cured if it is detected at an early stage. A prostate screening is available with a urologist or any primary clinic.

Bay Medical will hold a prostate cancer seminar next Tuesday, September 22nd in its cancer center auditorium. You do have to call ahead to reserve your spot and that number is 747-6541.