Eddie Check® and Provision CARES Foundation Team Up for Blood Drive and Free PSA Screenings
Mark your calendars for Eddie Check 2022 – September 15-16.
Visit EddieCheck.com for times and locations.
Provision CARES Foundation is proud to work with MEDIC Regional Blood Center and American Esoteric Laboratories to provide Eddie Check. Each September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Eddie Check is an annual 2-day blood drive that gives East Tennessee men a unique opportunity to receive a free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening.
Prostate Cancer
In the United States, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among males. Its high prevalence also makes it one of the leading causes of cancer deaths for American men. While it can certainly be a serious disease, the majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, when caught early, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%
Early detection is an important tool in getting appropriate and timely prostate cancer treatment.
What is PSA?
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. A higher than normal level of PSA may indicate various prostate issues, including cancer.
What is a PSA test?
A nurse of medical technician will use a needle to draw blood from a vein, most likely in your arm. The sample will then be sent to a lab to measure the level of PSA in your blood.
Who should get a PSA test?
This free PSA screening is recommended for men aged 40 or older. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, a PSA test is recommended at an age 10 years younger than the affected relative’s age at his cancer onset.
What to do with your PSA test results?
If your screening reveals higher than normal PSA levels, it does not necessarily mean you have cancer – only a biopsy can definitively detect cancer. Once you receive your results, you should take them to your family practice physician to determine your next steps. For men aged 60+ with a PSA of 4 or greater and men under 60 with a PSA of 2.5 or higher, a digital rectal exam (DRE) is recommended. However, because 6% of prostate cancer diagnoses occur with no elevated PSA, we encourage all men over 40 to ask their family physician or urologist about a DRE.
What is the DRE?
The digital rectal exam is a screening test available from your doctor that allows them to check for cancer and other health problems in the lower rectum, pelvis, and lower belly, including prostate cancer in men.
Dates and Locations
Eddie Check 2022 will be held on Thursday, September 15 and Friday, September 16. Please visit EddieCheck.com for a complete list of locations and times.