EP chamber hears healthy message
EAST PALESTINE — The county health department has decided to host a second prostate cancer screening for the public next month.
Health Commissioner Wes Vins told the East Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce about the new screening during the chamber’s meeting earlier this week.
Vins was the guest speaker and provided a rundown of the health department’s services.
East Palestine is without its own health department and has been covered by the county department since 2009.
Vins said money from the department’s 2-mill levy provides for the available cancer screenings through its cancer prevention clinic, including mammograms, pap tests, colorectal, and prostate (PSA) tests.
He added that a simple PSA test could mean the difference between life and death, since prostate cancer is survivable.
“My grandfather got diagnosed with prostate cancer and died within a few months. My father did a PSA test and got to meet his grandkids,” he said.
He said the simple blood draw test takes about four to five minutes, and isn’t expensive.
“There is no excuse for people not to get a PSA test. It is right here in our community and if you are a member of the health district it doesn’t cost you anything,” he added.
The department decided to hold another screening next month after looking at other uses for the clinic.
The new prostate cancer screening is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 14 at the county health department in Lisbon. People are encouraged to call and make an appointment ahead of time.
Vins said the screening has previously been held later in the day, but they decided to try an early morning time to get more results due to people’s work schedules.
“The staff recognized that maybe we are not giving people the opportunity to take advantage of our services,” he said.
The department can be reached by calling 330-424-0272. Vins said another PSA screening will also be held in June.
kwhite@mojonews.com
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