Health department offers free prostate screenings

McHenry County Department of Health will continue to offer free prostate cancer screenings in June for men age 50 and older.

The 20-minute screening includes a Prostate Specific Antigen blood test, heart age analysis and health education material. Funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health, these screenings will end in June.

Based on guidelines from the American Urological Association and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, men, age 40 and older who are African-American or have a higher risk due to family history, can also be screened.

Appointments are available online at www.mcdh.info or call (815) 334-4580 for these locations.

• 6:30 to 9 a.m. Monday, June 1, at Huntley Park District office, 12015 Mill St., Huntley

• 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Marengo-Union Public Library, 19714 E Grant Hwy., Marengo

• 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake

For those businesses that would like to host a screening for employees as part of a wellness program, call the department's health promotion staff at (815) 334-4580 to make arrangements.

Since Feb. 7 the health department has screened 264 men.

Feedback has been positive as participants have shared stories of family or friends who were diagnosed with early prostate cancer which was treated successfully. The PSA is one tool in assessing men's overall health.

For more information about prostate health, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/index.htm.