Free prostate cancer screenings offered at Miller Park



MILWAUKEE (WITI) – FOX6 News is teaming with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin to provide free prostate cancer screenings at Miller Park Wednesday, May 29th.  The event runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Prostate cancer, a serious disease that hits one in six men, is now the second deadliest cancers among men.  But if found early, more than 90 percent of those cases can be treated.

“My dad was diagnosed in his late 40s with prostate cancer and my grandpa on my Mom's side also had prostate cancer,” said Chris Lohman, a prostate cancer survivor.

Because of his family history, Lohman decided at age 35, that he should get screened for cancer.  The outcome, however, was something he did not expect.

“Being young, I just wanted to check just to say well I don't have prostate cancer.  I don't have anything to worry about,” he said.

Lohman first took a blood test that showed elevated levels of a protein called PSA.  After an exam, the State Trooper and father of two little boys learned he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I had no symptoms, nothing.  I wouldn’t have known I had it unless I had the needle biopsy,” said Lohman.

“Not only did Chris have prostate cancer, but he was really at very high risk from dying of prostate cancer if he hadn't done anything,” said Dr. William See, a cancer surgeon at Froedtert & the Medical College.

Luckily, the cancer was caught at a treatable stage, so Lohman and See decided removing the prostate through surgery was the best option.  Four years later, Lohman is cancer free.

His case, however, is out of the norm.  Generally, men ages 55 to 70 are most at risk for prostate cancer.  Those who are African American or with a family history, the risk starts at age 40.  Men in those groups are encouraged to get screened for prostate cancer.

“It's really 30 seconds.  It’s painless, so in the context of many medical exams, it's really simple,” said See.

This is the 6th year Fox 6 is teaming with Froedtert & the Medical College to provide free prostate cancer screenings.  It involves a blood draw and physical exam.  See says it's the only way to detect and treat the disease.

“Early prostate cancer causes no symptoms.  If you wait until you're having difficulty urinating or some problem, then often it's too late to treat it,” he said.

At the last prostate cancer screening event at Miller Park, more than 700 men were screened.  Free Brewers tickets may have been the added incentive, but with prostate cancer being the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, it's one task, others say, shouldn't be overlooked.

For Lohman, early detection through the screening is the reason why he's alive and well today.

“It's unpleasant, but I think it's worth it just to make sure you don't have a problem,” he said.

The first 250 men to get screened on Wednesday will receive free Brewers tickets. CLICK HERE for more information.

Since the event at Miller Park started in 2007, FOX6 and Froedtert & the Medical College have offered free screenings to more than 2,700 men.