Free Prostate Cancer Screening Event at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
Almost forty men, including hospital employees, get tested for prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, and early detection is crucial
Jul 30, 2024
Queens, NY — NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens proudly announced the success of its recent free prostate cancer screening event, held on July 19, which screened 38 men, including several hospital employees, with PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, and early detection is crucial. Black men often receive late-stage diagnoses, making early screenings even more vital. This event was part of NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens’ Stage Zer0 initiative, aimed at reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses through early screenings, detection, and treatment. The Stage Zer0 initiative provides proactive steps to recognize and mitigate racial disparities in cancer outcomes among diverse racial and ethnic groups. By focusing on early identification, preventive measures, equitable access to healthcare, and community engagement, the initiative aims to achieve health equity and optimal care for all individuals affected by cancer. The CDC recommends that men between the ages of 55 to 69 talk to their doctor about prostate cancer screening.
Supported by the Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening mobile unit, a key visual at the event, this initiative is committed to enabling early detection of prostate cancer for at-risk Black men. Made possible by a generous donation from Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, this mobile unit brings state-of-the-art imaging equipment and specialized staff directly to the communities that need them most.
“We are thrilled with the community’s response to our free screening event,” said Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “By providing these essential screenings, we are taking significant steps toward reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses and promoting health equity. We are grateful for the support of the Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening mobile unit and the dedication of our staff.”
Dr. Dave Holson, Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, added, “The PSA tests performed during this event are a crucial tool in detecting prostate cancer early. This initiative underscores our commitment to providing equitable cancer care services and ensuring that all members of our community have access to life-saving screenings and treatments.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is home to the award-winning Queens Cancer Center, which offers comprehensive cancer care services, from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship support. The Queens Cancer Center is recognized for its excellence in patient care and commitment to addressing health disparities within the community. A cancer screening requires a referral from a primary care doctor. For more information about services provided by the Queens Cancer Center, call (718) 883-4133.
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Media Contact:
Cleon Edwards, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, (646) 772-5725
Jane Petrik, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, (718) 883-2129
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
A member of NYC Health and Hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is a major health care provider in the borough of Queens. Its foremost mission is to provide quality, comprehensive care to all members of the public regardless of their ability to pay. The year 2015 marked its 80th anniversary of serving the communities of central and southeastern Queens, having first opened its doors as Queens General Hospital in 1935. Encompassing 360,000 square feet, it comprises 253 licensed beds, spacious ambulatory care suites featuring both primary and specialty services, and cutting-edge equipment. It also houses four Centers of Excellence: Cancer Care, Diabetes Management, Women’s Health, and Behavioral Health. The hospital has recently added a fully expanded Emergency Room, a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence accredited by the American College of Radiology, and a Total Hip and Knee Replacement Center, with plans underway to build the Health System’s first Dialysis Center to train patients to perform their own at-home dialysis. To learn more about NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/queens/.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.