Free Prostate Cancer Screenings, Vaccines, and More Available This Saturday

MedStar Health partners with Clinton Baptist Church Prince George’s County health fair.

CLINTON, Md. — Black men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die from it. MedStar Health and Clinton Baptist Church want to change that in Prince George’s County.

Free prostate cancer screenings will be offered during the upcoming Health and Wellness Resource Fair on Saturday, March 14. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clinton Baptist Church, 8701 Woodyard Road, Clinton.

Board-certified urologist Chiledum Ahaghotu, MD, vice president of medical affairs at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, will provide the free screenings. Limited spaces are available, and participants should register in advance.

“We want Black men to understand their risk factors and the importance of getting screened regularly,” Ahaghotu said. “Prostate cancer caught early can be treated successfully.”

The American Cancer Society recommends screening for men at average risk starting at age 50. Because Black men face a higher risk of prostate cancer, many should begin screenings earlier. For those at highest risk, screenings should start as early as age 40.

Participants in the screenings will receive a physical exam and a blood test. No insurance information is required.

During the physical exam, Ahaghotu will perform a brief, gentle check that takes only seconds. The exam can provide valuable, potentially lifesaving information.

The blood test measures a patient’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Elevated PSA levels can be an indicator of prostate cancer, which is why regular screening is an important part of men’s health care.

Prostate cancer screenings will be just one of the many resources available at the family-friendly event.

“Our goal is to create a welcoming, one-stop space where community members can access preventive care, learn about available resources, and connect with trusted organizations,” said Jessica Gamero, MedStar Health community health program manager.

There will also be more than 25 community partners offering a broad range of services and resources, including:

• Blood pressure checks
• Vaccines (valid ID required)
• Cancer education and support
• Mental health services and counseling
• Chronic disease prevention and management
• Food pantry and food assistance
• Naloxone training and overdose prevention
• Substance use prevention
• Health insurance enrollment assistance
• Social services and community assistance programs
• General wellness and lifestyle education

“We are excited to work together to care for our community and give Prince George’s County residents a healthier future,” said Colin Pugh, pastor at Clinton Baptist Church.

Residents can register for a prostate cancer screening online. 

For more information about the event, email MSMHC-CommunityHealth@medstar.net