Author: McLaren Flint
McLaren Flint is excited to partner with Mid-Michigan NOW and former news anchor and prostate cancer survivor Bill Harris for a free prostate cancer screening event in honor of Veterans’ Day.
Harris is a longtime veterans advocate. He has also shared his own brave prostate cancer journey with the community in hopes of building awareness of this potentially deadly disease, the importance of screening, and the value of having a strong support system during a cancer battle. Harris had no symptoms. Both he and his family physician were stunned when he was diagnosed.
“I was diagnosed in 2006 and am proud and thankful to say that today I am cancer free thanks to faith, family, friends, an amazing health care team at McLaren Health Care/Proton Therapy Center and, most importantly, early diagnosis!”
According to experts, men aged 55 to 69 should consider prostate cancer screening. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test measures the levels of PSA in the blood. PSA is a protein made by cells inside the prostate. High levels of this protein are often associated with prostate cancer.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men,” said McLaren Proton Therapy Center Medical Director Dr. Hesham Gayar. “Because it is slow growing, it is highly treatable when caught early. Early detection can play a critical role in a patient’s odds of beating cancer, which is why McLaren said yes to Bill when he asked if we would host this event for our veterans.”
Veterans will not only get free PSA prostate cancer screenings at the event, diabetes, foot, and sleep screenings, along with a colorectal questionnaire will also be available. The event will be held at the McLaren Family Medicine Residency Clinic on Thursday, November 6 from 4 until 6 p.m. The clinic is located at G-3230 Beecher Road, Suite 1 in Flint. Those interested in the screenings are asked to schedule an appointment. To schedule, call (810) 342-4473.