By Scott Roblin

Man Van helps test close to 100 local men for prostate cancer risk

May 21, 2018 | 1:19 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Prostate cancer is one of the biggest killers in men above the age of 40 in Canada, and over the weekend locals had a chance to fight back.

The Prostate Cancer Centre’s Man Van made a stop outside of London Drugs on Saturday, giving free PSA baseline blood tests to men in the community.

Prostate Cancer Centre volunteer Brad Sterling said it’s a fairly straightforward procedure that can help save lives down the road.

“We do a simple blood test, we draw a teaspoon of blood,” said Sterling. “We take it back to the lab, test it, and mail out the results for the men.”

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Men with a higher PSA number are determined to be at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those with lower numbers.

The turnout Saturday was more than encouraging for organizers with 92 men getting their blood tested, up from the 80 that took part in last year’s Medicine Hat stop.

Sterling said there were plenty of newcomers to the Man Van which was good to see, but added they enjoy seeing many men returning year after year to find out their number.

“It’s nice to see younger men coming for sure,” he said. “But, it’s also a lot of fun because we see some of the men year after year. They were lined up [Saturday] morning before we got here, so that makes it an entirely different day to have people that you know and see every year.”

It’s estimated that one in seven Alberta men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and 370 men die on average each year in the province due to the disease.

Sterling, who is a prostate cancer survivor, said these outings are important because they get men thinking about their health and well being before it’s too late.

“Early detection is very key,” he said. “My own personal case, I was diagnosed at age 53 and without that I know for a fact that I may not be here today without that testing. So, it’s absolutely critical.”

The Man Van isn’t scheduled to come back to Medicine Hat this summer, but Sterling added they could return if another local sponsor jumps on board.