Every year, prostate cancer silently threatens hundreds of thousands of men, stealing lives and impacting families. It’s a stark reality, Dignity Health reports, that 1 in 8 men will face this diagnosis in their lifetime, and tragically, tens of thousands will succumb to it annually.

“This silent epidemic demands our immediate attention and proactive action,” Dignity Health said.

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, Dignity Health on the Central Coast is joining the national effort to shed light on the disease, emphasizing the importance of early detection, screening and treatment.

Dignity Health Mission Hope Cancer Center, 1325 Church St., Santa Maria, is offering free prostate cancer screenings, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 for men who don’t have health insurance and who are 45-70 years old.

Participants  must have a reservation in advance because spaces are limited. Call 805-219-4673 to reserve a space.

Prostate cancer remains the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer, Dignity Health reports.

According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2025, and some 35,700 men are projected to die from the disease this year.

While these numbers are significant, advancements in screening and treatment mean that when detected early, prostate cancer is highly treatable, according to Dignity Health.

“Prostate cancer often grows slowly, but early detection through regular screenings is incredibly important,” said Dr. Samuel Kiely, urologist at Dignity Health Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria.

“Many men don’t experience symptoms in the early stages, which is why conversations with your doctor about your risk factors and screening options, particularly if you’re over 45 or have a family history, are critical. Knowing your risk and getting screened can truly save lives,” Dr. Kiely said.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
* Age: The risk increases significantly after age 45.
* Family history: Having a father or brother who had prostate cancer, especially before age 65, more than doubles a man’s risk.
* Race/Ethnicity: African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry are more likely to get prostate cancer, and are more than twice as likely to die from it.

Dignity Health Mission Hope Cancer Center encourages men to talk to their healthcare providers about their individual risk factors and discuss the benefits and limitations of prostate cancer screening tests, such as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE).

For more about Mission Hope Cancer Center and screening guidelines, visit the Mission Hope website or consult with your primary care physician.