Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER - Las Vegas, Nevada  
Prostate Cancer Screening

What is it?
UMC provided prostate cancer screenings at the facility’s Lied Ambulatory Care Center during September, which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The screenings included the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). The DRE was provided for free and the PSA test was discounted to $20. 

Who is it for?
The cancer screening tests were available to men 45 years of age and older.

Why do they do it?
Scientific studies indicate that one in every six men will get prostate cancer at some time during their lives. African-American men and men with a family history (father, brother or son diagnosed with the disease at an age younger than 65) are at even greater risk of having the disease. UMC recognizes that the early detection of prostate cancer is key to survival.

Impact: 
UMC screened 73 men. For some individuals unable to pay the $20 for the PSA, staff directed them to on-site eligibility staff members and then arrangements were made for these individuals to be evaluated at the Lied Ambulatory Care Center at a later date.

Contact:  Doris Cowell
Oncology Program Coordinator
Telephone:  (702) 383-2713
E-mail:  Doris.Cowell@umcsn.com