Vista to Offer Free Prostate Cancer Screenings Nov. 6
Vista Health System will offer free prostate cancer screenings on Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Family First Center of Lake County, 208 Lake Street, Waukegan. Screenings will begin after the conclusion of the 9:30 a.m. service at the Jesus Name Apostolic Church located next door and continue until 3 p.m. The screenings reflect a concerted effort by Vista to raise awareness of prostate cancer among African-American males aged 40 and over in Waukegan and the surrounding communities.
The free prostate screening includes a blood draw by a registered nurse or phlebotomist. No other exam is included, plus no fasting is required. Free refreshments will be served. Vista Urologist Sutchin Patel, MD, will speak on prostate cancer periodically throughout the event. Also on hand to offer information will be Dr. Alpesh Patel, a Family Medicine physician from the Vista Physician Group.
“Prostate cancer is an important health concern that often goes undetected among African-American men simply because of a lack of available screenings,” said Nancy Herchenbach, Vista's Executive Director of Cancer Services. “Since Vista is the leading healthcare provider in the Waukegan area, we're excited to work with community and church leaders to help fight this disease. Just like with most forms of cancer, early detection improves long-term survival.”
The prostate cancer screening event is supported by Evelyn Chenier, Executive Director of the Family First Center of Lake County, and Pastor John I. Caples of Jesus Name Apostolic Church. In addition to hosting the event at the Family First Center, they have actively promoted it to the church's 4,500 active members. The event also has been publicized within several other area churches that have predominantly African-American memberships.
This screening is a one-time, free service that is open to any adult male on a walk-in basis. The samples will be tested in the lab facility at Vista Medical Center East with all results sent directly to each patient's own primary care physician.