Men in Pike County can receive free prostate screening at the county health department on March 21.

According the Alabama Department of Public Health, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, excluding skin cancer.

A group of doctors and staff coming from Birmingham will conduct the prostate screening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said Corey Kirkland, assistant area administrator from ADPH.

“This program is to give people a way to get checked without having to go to the doctor,” Kirkland said. “If you have no insurance, it’s no problem.

“If we find something from the screening result, the program will assist you to find a doctor to do follow up tests.”

Dr. Thomas Moody of Urology Centers of Alabama will offer assistance with follow-up care.

Kirkland said the funding for the free screenings was provided by a grant from the legislature for public health.

The program also offers other screenings throughout the state in different counties until November. People can contact their county health department for the screening schedule.

Kirkland said one in six American men is diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in his life.

“Men who are from 45 to 50 years of age should get tested though they stand a chance to get prostate cancer until they are 90,” he said.

Older men run a higher risk especially for those with family history of prostate cancer.

“One of the major things about getting checked is that the sooner you find out, the less likely the cancer will spread and cause more complications,” Kirkland said.

“Like any other kinds of cancer, the quicker you find out, the sooner the doctor can make assessment and determine the course of treatment. You will have higher chance for complete recovery.”

The free screening will be at Pike County Health Department at 900 South Franklin Drive. For more information, call 334-566-2860.