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Shelbyville, Ky.—Jewish Hospital Shelbyville, part of KentuckyOne Health, will hold its 13^th annual Men’s Health Fair on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 8 a.m. to noon at the hospital located at 727 Hospital Drive in Shelbyville. 

 

A recent community health assessment in Shelby County indicates 25 percent of adults in the county smoke, 35 percent are obese, and the county overall has a high incidence of heart disease and inactivity.  The annual Men’s Health Fair at Jewish Hospital Shelbyville is part of the hospital’s ongoing efforts to improve health in the community.

 

Many local physicians will participate in the health fair, which will offer a variety of free health screenings for men.  Screenings include cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, oral cancer screening, skin cancer screening and the PSA (prostate specific antigen)–a screening to detect prostate cancer in men.

 

Prostate cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men.  For African-American men and those with a family history of the disease, the risk is significantly higher.  Often, men don't experience symptoms of the disease.  For that reason, experts suggest screenings beginning at age 40.

 

The PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. The PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate. 

 

The idea for the health fair came about after Shelby County Magistrate Tony Carriss’ successful cancer treatment.  Carriss attributes his success to early detection, made possible by a PSA test, which gave his physician an early warning by detecting a high level of the antigen in his blood. 

 

“There is no doubt in my mind that the PSA test made all the difference in my case,” said Carriss. 

 

While the PSA test is not foolproof, it can indicate possible problems significantly early. The test is especially effective when used in combination with a digital rectal exam (DRE).  Both exams will be offered during the fair. 

 

Men interested in screening exams should pre-register by calling .

 

In addition, Andrew Duffee, MD, a physician with Shelbyville Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, and Joshua Justice, MD, an ophthalmologist with Kentucky Eye Care in Shelbyville will also provide information and screenings at the event.

 

Health fair attendees can also register to win a flat screen television. 

A car and motorcycle show will be held at the First Baptist Church, located at 1516 Midland Trail, near the hospital entrance, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  After the health fair, attendees can walk to the church for live music and food. For more information on the car and motorcycle show, call or email .

 

About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health was formed when two major Kentucky health care organizations came together in early 2012. KentuckyOne Health combines the Jewish and Catholic heritages of the two former systems – Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System. In late 2012, the organization formed a partnership with the University of Louisville Hospital | James Graham Brown Cancer Center.  The nonprofit system is committed to improving the health of Kentuckians by integrating medical research, education, technology and health care services wherever patients receive care. KentuckyOne Health has more than 200 locations including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies, with nearly 15,000 employees across the state of Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is the largest health system in Kentucky and has more than 3,100 licensed beds.

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