Saving lives: Hundreds get free prostate exams

For a sixth year, 2News and Saint Francis Health Systems worked to protect Green Country men from the growing threat of prostate cancer by offering free exams.

The "Drive Against Prostate Cancer" bus rolled into Tulsa's Promenade Mall on Friday. It is the world's largest mobile prostate exam facility supplied by Zero - The Project To End Prostate Cancer.

Studies indicate more than 217,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Doctors believe more than 32,000 will die in 2010.

More than 350 men came from all over Green Country. 2News Anchor Karen Larsen met many of those who drove in from Haskell, Chelsea, Grove and other towns. Some haven't missed a single year of free exams. Terry Evans, 65, drove all the way from Chelsea hoping for a second year of reassuring news after his last exam.

"Very good. No problem," Evans said. "Hope the same happens this year, of course."

Standing in line was no problem for Ron Jones. As an African American, he knows he's at higher risk for prostate cancer. "My grandfather, two uncles and brother all have prostate cancer," said Ron Jones of Tulsa.

That family history raises Ron's risk even higher. In fact, if a close relative has prostate cancer, a man's risk more than doubles. With two relatives, his risk increases five times. With three close relatives, his risk is about 97-percent.

"It's something I think about on a daily bsis. It's something I have to stay on top of," Jones added.

Saint Francis physician Jerrold Vaughn says all men over 40 need to be tested. When the Prostate Bus rolled into Tulsa, it was a simple process.

1. Fill out a medical form.
2. Roll up your sleeve for a PSA blood test.
3. Undergo physical exam.

Dr. Vaughn says these tests save lives. "That's about the best we have right now and it's better than the alternative - something showing up unexpectedly," Dr. Vaughn told 2News.

At the end of the process, it was another clean bill of health for Terry Evans. "All good, all good!" he said with a smile as he departed the bus.

Ron Jones will wait for his blood test results to see if he's clear of any sign of cancer. But he hopes other men won't wait another day. "Early detection. Early detection. That's the key," Jones insisted.

In addition to the prostate exams, the Tulsa Downtown Lions Club's Mobile Health Unit offered free screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, glaucoma, visual acuity, hearing and bone density.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute also held a blood drive on site for those who wanted to give back with a life-saving donation.