December 2008

GW Progress

The GW Cancer Institute will offer free prostate screening exams during the 16^th Annual NBC 4 Health and Fitness Expo, Jan. 10 - 11. Hal Frazier, M.D., clinical director of GW's Urologic Oncology Program, will lead a team of GW physicians performing digital rectal exams as well as blood tests used to measure Prostate Specific Antigen levels.

Washington, D.C. has one of the highest mortality rates from prostate cancer, and the risks posed to African American men are twice as high as those for Caucasians. At last year's event, the partnership between GWCI, the GW Medical Center, the GW Hospital, and GW Medical Faculty Associates screened approximately 700 area men for prostate cancer.

"This was a highly successful event and we were able to make a huge contribution to our community," said Dr. Frazier. "We were extremely pleased with the response and that we were able to help so many men."

This year's Expo also will feature the Mammovan at the event. In addition to touring GW's mobile mammography unit, women will be able to pick up information about breast cancer screenings and self-exams.