Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to Offers Free Screenings and Education in Recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

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September Marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Somerville N.J.  – One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Leading the charge against this shocking statistic, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) will be hosting a number of local events for the community throughout the month of September to raise awareness, promote screenings and educate patients on prostate cancer.
“Many men today struggle with the misconceptions and conflicting information on prostate cancer, and may be uncomfortable approaching a physician with their concerns,” said Dhiren Dave, MD, urologist and robotic surgeon at RWJUH. “But when it comes to prostate cancer, education trumps fear, and it is vital for men to learn all they can about their personal risk and options for testing and treatment, in order to make informed decisions about their prostate health. We are proud to have the resources available to host educational events and screenings for members of our community throughout September, in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”
“We are honored to partner with community-based organizations like the Renaissance Community Development Corporation Credit Union (CDCU) and have them choose our hospital as a beneficiary of their Bike-A-Thon,” says Mariam Merced, Director of the Community Health Promotions Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, which provides prostate cancer education and a free screening program every two years to community residents in partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.  “Not only do groups like the CDCU give us  essential funding to help us provide education programs and screenings, but they serve as key partners who spread the word and help deliver our message to many more men in communities served by our New Brunswick and Somerset campuses than we could reach on our own.”
RWJUH’s events taking place this September include:
·         Prostate Monologues: Myths and Misconceptions Demystified
o   Men are encouraged to join RWJUH Somerset on Tuesday, September 16 to discover the risk factors associated with prostate cancer, the causes, screenings, and the diagnostic testing available during the free informational event led by Dr. Dave. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Fuld Auditorium. Also joining Dr. Dave is Jack McCallum, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, New York Times best-selling author, long-time Sports Illustrated writer and prostate cancer survivor. McCallum will share his story battling prostate cancer and how he kept his humor intact throughout the experience. In his book, “The Prostate Monologues,” he provides information on questions that men with prostate cancer all think about but may feel uncomfortable talking about, and uses humor to de-code medical terms that the every-day male might not understand. His personal insight will educate participants and show men how to deal with prostate cancer while keeping a sense of humor. Following the program, participants will enjoy a lunch and a free raffle for copies of “The Prostate Monologues.” Registration is required by calling 908-203-6234 or visiting www.rwjuh.edu/somersetevents.
·         Stay On Track for Better Prostate Health – Free Prostate Cancer Screenings
o   RWJUH Somerset is offering free prostate cancer screenings, including PSA (blood work) and a digital rectal exam. The screenings will be held on Wednesday, September 17, from 2 to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, September 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. The screenings will be conducted at the Somerset Family Practice Center at 110 Rehill Avenue in Somerville, N.J. Registration is required by calling (908) 685-2814.
·         Renaissance Community Development Credit Union (RCDCU) 7th Annual Bike-A-Thon for Prostate Cancer
o   RCDCU and RWJUH will be hosting its 7th annual Bike-A-Thon to raise money and to increase awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of early detection. Community members are invited to ride or walk their way to fun and fitness while supporting a worthy cause. The event will take Saturday, September 20 at 8 a.m. at Franklin Middle School located at 415 Francis Street in Somerset, N.J. Contributions will be made to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Foundation, and will be used to provide three days of free prostate cancer screenings to the cyclists and men throughout the communities of Somerset and Middlesex counties.  For more information or to register, visit www.rcdcubike.com.
For more information on Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, its services and its events calendar, please visit www.rwjuh.edu .
About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) is a 965-bed academic medical center with campuses in New Brunswick and Somerville, NJ.  Its Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, joint replacement, and women’s and children’s care including The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (www.bmsch.org).  As the flagship Cancer Hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the principal teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, RWJUH is an innovative leader in advancing state-of-the-art care. A Level 1 Trauma Center and the only Pediatric Trauma Center in the state, RWJUH’s New Brunswick campus serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness.
RWJUH has been ranked among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report seven times and has been selected by the publication as a high performing hospital in numerous specialties.  The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital has been ranked among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years.
Both the New Brunswick and Somerset campuses have earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety, including the prestigious Magnet® Award for Nursing Excellence, an “A” patient safety rating from the Leapfrog Group and “Most Wired” designation by Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine. The Joint Commission and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services have designated the New Brunswick Campus as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and the Somerset Campus as a Primary Stroke Center.
The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer has rated RWJUH New Brunswick among the nation’s best comprehensive cancer centers and designated the Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJ Somerset as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center.  The Joint Surgery Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for total knee and total hip replacement surgery.
For more Information visit us online at www.rwjuh.edu