Docs hit the road again for free Father’s Day health check-ups

It’s quick, painless, and it could save your life. It’s the cringe-worthy physical check for prostate cancer, and it’s available free at the sixth annual MUHC Men’s Health Day. This year, the event will be held in Place Alexis Nihon on Thursday June 16, 2011 (Atwater Metro station). The event, held close to Father’s Day every year, raises awareness of male reproductive issues and health concerns such as testis, prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers, heart and lung diseases, sleep apnea, eye care and smoking cessation.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men”, says Dr. Chan, an MUHC urologist and organizer of the Men’s Health Day event. “This year, over 25,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and over 4,000 will die because of the disease.” Put another way, over 475 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every week. As with all cancers, early diagnosis is vital. A quick and simple prostate exam can detect anomalies in the prostate gland that warrant further investigation.

This year MUHC representatives will be distributing walnuts to mall visitors. The walnut is commonly used to describe the male prostate, as it is similar in both size and shape. The walnuts distributed will have a message attached: Your prostate should be no larger than this walnut! A check-up could save your life! “We thought this would be a good way to bring the message home to people and encourage them visit our free clinic in the mall,” says Dr. Chan. “Prostate cancer is 95% curable if detected and treated in the early stages. A simple check-up can make the world of difference.”

MUHC Men’s Health Day starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Dr. Peter Chan will be joined by a team of urologists and other healthcare professionals from the MUHC to provide information on men’s health issues. A variety of services will be available including free fitness and health evaluations and blood pressure checks. This event is open to the public free of charge. For a free health check-up, simply bring a valid Quebec Medicare card.

About the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC): One of the world’s foremost academic health centres, the MUHC offers exceptional and integrated patient-centric care, research teaching and technology assessment. Highly committed to the continuum of care in its community and affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, The Montreal Children's Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute and the Lachine Hospital of the MUHC value multidisciplinary service throughout the lifespan, innovative technologies and practices, strategic partnerships and leadership in knowledge transfer. The MUHC is currently carrying out a $2.25-billion Redevelopment Project on three campuses—the Mountain, the Glen and Lachine—designed to provide healthcare professionals with an effective environment in which to ensure patients and their families benefit from The Best Care for Life. The campuses are also anchored in best sustainable-development practices, including LEED® and BOMA BESt guidelines. Visit: www.muhc.ca and www.muhc.ca/construction.