Freebies: Men turn out for prostate screening, Brewers tickets



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Crowds of men were lined up outside Miller Park Monday morning, including Jerry Lewis who showed up at 3:15 a.m. But he wasn't there for a ballgame.

"My grandfather he passed from prostate cancer and that made me to want to come out and get screened and I've been coming out here every year since then," said Lewis.

All of these men are being proactive in taking care of their health by attending the free prostate cancer screening event.

If prostate cancer is detected early it's highly curable.

"Prostate cancer impacts 1 man in every 6 men over the course of their lifetime and doesn't manifest any symptoms. So if you wait until you have symptoms the disease is very advanced and untreatable," said Dr. William See with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

African-American men or men with a family history of prostate cancer should get screened at age 40.

Those without high risk factors should start getting tested at 50.

"It takes about 15 seconds, it's painless, it really is very simple," said Dr. See.

The Brewers also added an incentive, the team gave away vouchers for two free tickets to the first 250 men.

Each year there is plenty of camaraderie, as the ballpark can be much more comfortable than a doctor's office.

"It's a guy kind of thing to come to Miller Park and baseball and I think everybody understands here that they don't have to feel intimidated or embarrassed," said Milwaukee Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger.

And this simple exam can potentially save a life.

"It's a silent killer and if you don't get tested you can use die and leave all your loved ones and all that and it doesn't make sense," said Ron Beaudoin as he waited in line for a screening.

If you weren't able to make it to the event, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin will continue to give free prostate screenings.

To get the free exam, you need to call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666 to make an appointment.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be an estimated 233,000 new cases of prostate cancer in 2014. More than 29,000 men will die from the disease. That truly demonstrates the importance of regular screenings.

Below are a series of links to help you become more informed about prostate cancer.