THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9410110122
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Earl Files knew he could be a target for cancer. He had lost both his grandfather and uncle to the disease and was experiencing slight discomfort around his prostate.
A worried Files quickly scheduled an appointment with his regular doctor, who suggested he get a free prostate cancer screening being offered by Sentara Health System.
Files' worst fears proved true - he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Luckily, he said, ``I caught it just in time.'' He had immediate surgery following his diagnosis two months ago.
Now Files, 60, is a big fan of early screening for possible cancer. He wishes more fellow African Americans would follow his lead.
``Why we don't do it, I don't know,'' he said.
The Sentara Cancer Institute and the Center for Urological Oncology at Eastern Virginia Medical Center have teamed to offer free prostate screenings for men in Hampton Roads. Although African Americans are the primary target, the screenings are open to all men.
About one out of ten males will develop prostate cancer in their lifetimes. For black men, that rate is one in nine, according to the Prostate Cancer Education Council.
The exams - a digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test - began last month and will run throughout October. They are part of the Prostate Cancer Education Council's annual screening effort.
The screenings and study are important for African-American males who may not visit a doctor regularly, said Dr. Paul Schellhammer, medical director of Sentara Cancer Institute and co-medical director of the Center for Urological Oncology at EVMS.
``What we've seen in the screening is a greater interest and participation in the African-American population than in the past,'' Schellhammer said.
``All it does is take your time - go for it,'' Earl Files said. ``Contrary to what you believe . . . get the prostate screening and the PSA. It doesn't hurt.''
PSA test results will be mailed to screening participants about four weeks after the screening. The combination of these two tests is the most effective method for detecting prostate cancer early, at its most curable stage.
The Sentara Cancer Institute and EVMA's Center for Urological Oncology also are recruiting men for a study that tests whether the drug finasteride can actually prevent prostate cancer.
The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial began in October 1993 and already involves 180 men from Hampton Roads. The project is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and will be ongoing until the end of the year.
``Its main purpose is, if you don't have cancer, to prevent you from getting it,'' Schellhammer said.
Nearly 200 patients have been enlisted in the prevention trial, which requires continuous monitoring over seven years, he added.
Trial results will not be available for another five or six years, Schellhammer said.
``The response to this study locally has been greater than expected,'' said Ann McMellin, oncology coordinator at Sentara Cancer Institute. ``But we are particularly interested in recruiting African-American men to make certain our sample reflects population figures and is statistically significant for African Americans who are at greatest risk for this cancer.''
It is still unknown why African-American men are more susceptible than other racial groups to prostate cancer, Schellhammer said.
Virginia, he said, ranks ninth or 10th in national prostate cancer deaths but ranks 12th according to its population.
``Virginia is as susceptible, if not more so, than other states,'' he said.
Schellhammer urges the public to get more information about prostate cancer by visiting hospitals or by contacting the American Cancer Society. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
FOR INFORMATION
To schedule a free prostate cancer screening or for more information
on the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, call 1-800-736-8272).
Screenings are limited and are available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
by CNB