Media Articles

Man Van takes cancer fight to streets
By JENNA McMURRAY, Sun Media
Last Updated: 22nd July 2009, 2:22pm

Despite the initial screening for prostate cancer being a simple 15-minute blood test, many men don’t bother taking the time to get checked, a problem the Prostate Cancer Centre in Calgary say they hope to conquer with the launch of the Man Van.

The 25-ft. motor home equipped with leather recliners and flat screen televisions was rolled out Wednesday and will travel around the city and eventually, the southern half of the province, to screen men for prostate cancer.

“Men are not as good as women are for taking care of themselves so we thought, if they aren’t going to come to us, we’ll go to them,” said Tom Kenny, the centre’s executive director.

“We’re trying to promote men over the age of 40 getting their prostate specific antigen (PSA) tested.”
The mobile unit is the first of its kind in Canada and is expected to screen approximately 4,000 men in and around Calgary this year, making PSA tests accessible to those who may not have time to schedule an appointment with a doctor.

“We thought if we presented the test in a way that was easy to get to it would help,” said Kenny, noting blood test results are available to patients the day after their screenings.

Approximately 2,400 Alberta men will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 430 will die.

It is estimated that one in every six men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, though there are no early warning signs.
Males over the age of 40 are encouraged to get an initial screening and those over the age of 50 should be getting checked at least once a year, said Kenny.

The Man Van is currently looking for a main sponsor to help cover the daily cost of $2,500 to run the system, he said.
Currently it is being funded through donations to the Prostate Cancer Centre.