Town of Smithtown hosted free Prostate Cancer screenings at Nesconset Fire Department last week.
Town of Smithtown hosted free Prostate Cancer screenings at Nesconset Fire Department last week. The event was set up by Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, prostate cancer survivors Councilman Tom Lohmann and Smithtown Employee Bill Renner. Together with the help of Rhonda Samuel of IMF Cares and Jonathan Andersen, Director of Laboratory Operations for Integrated Medical Professionals, 23 men were given preventative prostate cancer screenings.
“I wouldn’t be here today talking to you… it’s a silent killer as soon as you have symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to screen. You have to treat it without symptoms because that’s the only way you will survive this. It is a simple blood test and it can save your life. Be your own advocate on survivability.” - Bill Renner, Town of Smithtown
The free PSA Blood tests were performed by Integrated Medical Professionals. Each participant also received a non-invasive DRE Exam performed by Dr. Thomas Harrington, MD, FACS of Smithtown - Urological Surgeon. Lunch was provided to the participants courtesy of Seaqua Deli in St. James.
“I learned so much about my own health the hard way. Having endured a number of 9-11 related illnesses and Cancers I learned that if I wanted to see my children have a family of their own I needed to be proactive in my own survival. I got a second chance thanks to doctors like Tom Harrington. Now I pay it forward and help inform everyone who will listen.” - Councilman Tom Lohmann
Supervisor Ed Wehrheim issued a special proclamation declaring September the official awareness month in Smithtown for Prostate Health. The proclamation was presented to IMF Cares’ Rhonda Samuel. Dr. Thomas Harrington was given a proclamation for his time, study and effort to helping men take the initiative to screen early. Smithtown employee, Bill Renner was awarded with the Good Samaritan Certificate for sharing his story with local residents in order to encourage men to begin screening for prostate cancer as early as age 40 for those without a family history of Cancer.
About IMF Cares
Integrated Medical Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization which promotes awareness and early detection of prostate cancer. Integrated Medical Foundation is committed to improving healthcare through education and outreach, offering free programs, support services, and prostate cancer screenings to the community. IMF will strive to exceed the expectations of those it serves and maintain standards of the highest quality.
Statistics show that regular screening can lead to early detection of prostate cancer. Screenings have decreased the prostate cancer death rate by nearly 40% since they began 20 years ago. IMF urges men over 40, or men with a family history of prostate cancer, to talk to their health care provider about prostate cancer.