Lexington Medical Center is “Tackling Prostate Cancer”

Posted by: Jennifer Wilson, Public Relations Manager | August 02, 2011

West Columbia, S.C. – Lexington Medical Center will be “Tackling Prostate Cancer” at this year’s Wildcat Jamboree, a popular event that kicks off the high school football season, at Lexington High School on Friday, August 19^th.  The hospital will hold free prostate screenings during the event.  The team with the most fans participating will receive a $500 contribution to its school booster club from the hospital.

The Wildcat Jamboree consists of four, 15 minute football games.  Eight teams participate.  This year’s lineup is Blacksburg v. Wade Hampton, Airport v. Swansea, Chapin v. Batesburg-Leesville and Lexington v. Brookland-Cayce.  The first game begins at 6:00 p.m.  Approximately 6,000 people are expected to attend.

Men can receive a free prostate screening beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.   Lexington Medical Center clinicians will set up on the home side of the stadium underneath the bleachers, close to the Booster Club.  The prostate screening is a simple blood draw that takes only a minute.  Each participant will receive a free t-shirt.

“Hundreds of men will attend the Wildcat Jamboree, creating a perfect place to offer this life saving test,” said Connie Watson, director of Community Outreach at Lexington Medical Center.  “Lexington Medical Center is pleased to have the opportunity to participate at the event in this way.”

All men over age 50 should receive a yearly prostate cancer screening.  African-American men should begin screening at age 45.  Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in South Carolina and the second leading cause of cancer deaths.  South Carolina ranks third in the nation in deaths from prostate cancer.  One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.

Lexington Medical Center will mail test results to participating men, who can then share their results with their physician. 
For more information about prostate cancer, visit the Health Library at www.lexmed.com.

About Lexington Medical Center

Lexington Medical Center, in West Columbia, S.C., anchors a county-wide health care network that includes six community medical centers throughout Lexington County and employs a staff of 5,200 health care professionals. The network also includes the largest extended care facility in the Carolinas, two occupational health centers and more than 40 physician practices. At its heart is the 414-bed state-of-the-art Lexington Medical Center, with a reputation for the highest quality care. Lexington Medical Center won "Best Hospital" by readers of The State for ten years in a row, "Best Hospital" by readers of the Free Times, "Best Place to Have a Baby" by readers of Palmetto Parent, the "Consumer Choice Award" from the National Research Corporation and the prestigious "Summit Award" from Press Ganey.