Jim Fair
Free prostrate cancer screenings were offered to men at Greer Memorial Hospital.
Jim Fair
The screenings were in concert with September being National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Some men probably didn’t think getting on a bus would be a lifesaver. But it may have been just that on Friday at Greer Memorial Hospital.
Men were offered free prostate exams administered by doctors and coached on their next steps if a follow-up was suggested.
“This will save somebody’s life today,” said Matthew DeGumbia of Piedmont Consulting. DeGumbia is a prostate cancer survivor who underwent robotic surgery and spent only 23 hours in the hospital.”
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and is second to only lung cancer leading to cancer death in men.
Doctors from the Greenville Hospital System conducted the tests in the mobile examination vehicle. “We started this testing years ago at Allen Bennett,” said Inez Hannon, of Greer Memorial. “This is a new format for us to have a bus. Before examinations were done in the hospital.”
Andy Nicks was among the large group of men tested throughout the day. “I came for an X-ray, saw the signs (entering the campus) and bus and decided to get tested. I know it’s a curable cancer but of course you need to know you have it.”
DeGumbia said getting men to freely get tested was more difficult because of the nature of the test. “For men it may be embarrassing and nobody wants this test done.
“I am here for the education and provide support,” DeGumbia said. “If a person comes off the bus and said a doctor told them to follow up with a visit, they want to talk to a guy and I can help them.”