The Man Van, a mobile prostate cancer testing clinic will be coming to Westlock on Aug. 21 from 12 -3 p.m. at the TD bank on 96 Street.
The Man Van is an initiative by the Prostate Cancer Centre (PCC) which sets up free clinics across the province such as the one in Westlock for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood testing for early detection of prostate cancer.
The Man Van clinic also offers a mental wellness check which assesses depression symptoms and suicide risk.
According to the PCC, 1 in 6 men in Alberta will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime which makes early detection critical for later treatment.
Prostate cancer is caused by a growth of cells is the prostate gland. This can be either a benign growth which causes swelling and may make urinating difficult or malignant growth which is cancerous and destroys the surrounding tissue.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnoses for Canadian men and typically affects older men which is why the Man Van is only open to testing for ages 40-70.
Risk of prostate cancer diagnoses is determined by multiple factors including increased age, family history, race and high fat diet.
PSA is a protein made by the prostate found in the blood which the Man Van clinic screens for to determine early signs of prostate cancer.
TD has been a generous supporter for the PCC having donated $300,000 to support the Man Van program.
“The incredible work happening through the Prostate Cancer Centre's Man Van is well-aligned with one of the TD Ready Commitment's goals – to help improve access to education, screening and early interventions that can lead to better health outcomes,” said Arlene Sharpe, branch manager at Westlock TD.
