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Man van coming to Rimbey

Man van to be at rodeo grounds
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The MAN VAN™ will be Rimbey Rodeo Grounds, on Saturday July 13 from 12 to 3 p.m. offering free baseline PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood tests to men over the age of 40 and Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Stress Check Questionnaire and waist circumference measurement to all men over 18. Photo submitted

The MAN VAN, a mobile health clinic based out of Calgary, will be rolling into Rimbey soon.

The MAN VAN™ will be Rimbey Rodeo Grounds, on Saturday July 13 from 12 to 3 p.m. offering free baseline PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood tests to men over the age of 40 and Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Stress Check Questionnaire and waist circumference measurement to all men over 18.

“The MAN VAN may be the first step in a man becoming proactive in caring for their health,” said Ken Rabb, MAN VAN program manager. It’s like a kick in the pants for men to take care of their health.”

Balancing work, family and a social life keeps men busy. Health is not always top-of-mind. It can be very difficult for men to fit regular doctor visits into their schedules. That is why the Prostate Cancer Centre is pleased to offer the services of the MAN VAN to the community. No appointment is necessary.

The PSA test is a simple blood test that helps in the early detection of prostate cancer. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate and released in small amounts to the bloodstream. The amount of PSA in the bloodstream can often predict a man’s risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in Albertan men. One man in seven will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. Approximately 2,600 men will be diagnosed annually with prostate cancer and 8 men will die from it every week.

In Canada, the state of men’s health is often called the ‘silent crisis’. Men live five years less than women on average and out of the top 15 causes of death, men lead in 14. Men also are more likely to avoid preventative care, delay treatment, pay less attention to health information and are less likely to have a health care provider. Measurements for BMI, blood pressure and blood glucose can help men determine a man’s overall health status and allow health practitioners to catch and possibly reverse potential problems early on.

Rabb said the MAN VAN travels to rural communities to offer the medical services and was in Rimbey a few years ago.

“We’ve been around for about 10 years and it’s good to be coming back,” he said.