CHICAGO, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a test that can spot cancer in its earliest stages, and beginning Monday will be available to Chicago area residents free of charge.
Prostate cancer screenings and physical exams will be available from April 23 to April 28 at 13 Chicago area locations. The screenings are free to the public and being sponsored by the Chicago Sun-Times and the National Prostate Cancer Coalition in conjunction with area hospitals.
While one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, screenings are critical and early detection can mean the difference between life and death. If caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable with nearly 100 percent survival rates, according to the cancer society.
Men ages 40 and older are urged by the health officials to take advantage of the screenings, which include a blood test to measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels that can indicate the disease and a physical exam where a physician will check the prostate for irregularities. The tests take about 20 minutes and results are mailed within four weeks. Appointments are not necessary and walk-ins are welcomed.
A complete listing of mobile clinics in the Chicago area can be easily accessed by visiting http://www.suntimes.com/ and clicking on the jump2web link. This feature allows readers to jump from stories in the paper's print edition to related Web content. Jump2web also has additional features, such as blogs on topics including health, transportation, gardening, shopping, travel and neighborhoods.
"It is our hope that readers will take advantage of these screenings, as early detection is proven to be the most effective cure of prostate cancer," said John Cruickshank, Sun-Times News Group Chief Operating Officer and Publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"The program also demonstrates how the Chicago Sun-Times provides our readers with important, and in this case, life-saving information for residents of the Chicago region," Cruickshank said.
For more information on these screenings, visit suntimes.com or fightprostatecancer.org . You can also contact the National Prostate Cancer Coalition toll-free at 888-245-9455.
Here's where to get a free PSA test
Mobile clinics will be scattered throughout the city and suburbs next week to offer men a free test that could save their lives. You don't need an appointment. Or health insurance. Or money. Just the desire to get tested. Here's where to do it:
Algonquin
Physician and Diagnostic Services, Good Shepherd Hospital
2284 County Line Road Algonquin IL 60102
(800) 323-8622 (mention code 3C32)
Hours: Thursday, April 26; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Screenings will be held in the parking lot at the front of the office
building located two blocks east of the intersection of County Line and
Randall in Algonquin, approximately one mile south of the intersection of
Algonquin and Randall.
Chicago (Hyde Park)
University of Chicago Hospitals
5841 S. Maryland Ave. Chicago IL 60637
(773) 834-5451
Hours: Monday, April 23; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The screening RV will be located in the cul-de-sac at 58th Street and
Ellis Avenue, near the hospital's emergency entrance and the University of
Chicago bookstore.
Chicago (Lakeview)
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
836 W. Wellington Ave. Chicago IL 60657
(888) 245-9455
Hours: Friday, April 27; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The screening RV will be located at Nelson Street.
Chicago (South Shore)
Jewel, hosted by the University of Chicago Hospitals
7530 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago IL 60649
(888) 245-9455
Hours: Tuesday, April 24; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The screening RV will be set up in the Jewel parking lot.
Country Club Hills
Wal Mart, hosted by Advocate South Suburban Hospital
4005 W. 167th St. Country Club Hills IL 60478
(888) 245-9455
Hours: Wednesday, April 25; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The screening RV will be in the parking lot.
Des Plaines
Des Plaines Public Library, hosted by Lutheran General Hospital
1501 Ellinwood St. Des Plaines IL 60016
(800) 323-8622 (mention code 8C35)
Hours: Tuesday, April 24; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The screening RV will be in the plaza in front of the library.
Downers Grove
Little Company of Mary Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital
3551 Highland Ave. Downers Grove IL 60515
(800) 323-8622 (mention code 4C64)
Hours: Saturday, April 28; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The screening RV will be adjacent to the Wellness Center on the hospital
campus.
Highland Park
Trinity Episcopal Church, hosted by Northwestern Memorial Hospital
425 Laurel Ave. Highland Park IL 60035
(888) 245-9455
Hours: Monday, April 23; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The screening RV will be located in the parking lot, which can be accessed
via 420 Central Ave.
Matteson
Carson Pirie Scott, hosted by Ingalls Health System
300 Lincoln Mall Matteson IL 60443
(888) 245-9455
Hours: Thursday, April 26; 8 a.m.-noon
The screening RV will be located in the Carson Pirie Scott parking lot.
Niles
Niles Senior Center, hosted by Lutheran General Hospital
999 Civic Center Dr. Niles IL 60714
(800) 323-8622 (mention code 8C35)
Hours: Wednesday, April 25; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The screening RV will be on the east side of the parking lot.
Park Ridge
Park Ridge City Hall, hosted by Lutheran General Hospital
505 Butler Place Park Ridge IL 60068
(800) 323-8622 (mention code 8C35)
Hours: Saturday, April 28; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The screening RV will be located in front of city hall.
Skokie
Oakton Community Center, hosted by Northwestern Memorial Hospital
4701 Oakton St. Skokie IL 60076
(888) 245-9455
Hours: Friday, April 27; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The screening RV will be located at the corner of Oakton Street and Skokie
Boulevard.
Tinley Park
Menard's, hosted by Ingalls Health System
6851 W. 159th St. Tinley Park IL 60477
(888) 245-9455
Hours: Thursday, April 26; 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
The screening RV will be located in the Menard's parking lot.
About Sun-Times Media Group
Sun-Times Media Group , formerly known as Hollinger International Inc., is dedicated to being the premier source of local news and information for the greater Chicago area. Its media properties include the Chicago Sun-Times and suntimes.com as well as newspapers and websites serving 120 communities across Chicago. Further information can be found at http://www.thesuntimesgroup.com/ .
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