TRINITY REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM
NEWS RELEASE
May 23, 2008
CONTACT:
Erin Lounsberry, 779-2981, lounsberrye@trinityqc.com
Cheri Bustos, 779-2979, bustosc@trinityqc.com
Eleventh annual Rudy Quijas Fight against Cancer Memorial Prostate Screening offered free to community
Rudy Quijas, founder of Rudy’s Tacos, always had the community’s best interest at heart. Even when he was near the end stages of prostate cancer, he wanted to give something back to his community. The Quijas family, along with Trinity Regional Health System and the Community Health Partners, has kept his memory and his wishes alive by inviting Quad-City men to participate in the eleventh annual Rudy Quijas Fight against Cancer Memorial Prostate Screening held from 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, at the Trinity Cancer Center on its 7th Street Campus in Moline, and Wednesday, June 11, at Trinity at Terrace Park in Bettendorf.
In addition to Trinity, Community Health Partners include The Dispatch, Rock Island Argus, The Leader, Metropolitan Medical Laboratory, Quad-City Radio Group and KWQC-TV6. Additional support is being provided by the Rudy Quijas Fight against Prostate Cancer Golf Outing and the Quad-City Marathon Prostate Cancer Initiative.
“When caught early, prostate cancer can be treated with a high cure rate,” said Carla Morse, RN, screening coordinator from Trinity. “That’s why early detection is a key in the fight against this disease that affects more than 200,000 men annually. Through this screening, many men can find out if they are at risk, and if they are, take appropriate action.”
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men behind skin cancer. While
one man in six will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only one man in 35 will die of this disease, largely due to increased awareness and earlier detection of the disease. In fact, when the cancer is found in the local or regional stages and has not spread, the 5-year relative survival rate for these men is nearly 100 percent.
The screening will include a free PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test and digital rectal exam. Screening times are by appointment only. All men are encouraged to participate, particularly those who are age 40 and older, those who have a family history of the disease and/or are African American or Hispanic.
Men need not have had a history of treatment for prostate cancer to be at increased risk. Men currently under the care of a urologist, previously diagnosed with prostate cancer or over the age of 80 will not be screened.
Since 1998, nearly 3,400 men have been checked for prostate cancer through this free screening, and approximately one-third of those screened have needed further follow-up due to either an abnormality with their exam, lab work or other factors. Over the years, 37 men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer due to the screening.
According to Rudy’s brother, John Quijas, the golf outing is a major fund-raiser for this free screening. “All proceeds of the golf outing benefit this screening. It just goes to show that when we stand together for a cause, we can make a difference and help many men and their families,” he said.
According to Morse, the Rudy Quijas Fight against Cancer Memorial Prostate Screening offers a wonderful opportunity for men to take care of their health. “This is a tremendous gift to Quad-Citians. I can’t think of a better way for the Quijas family to honor Rudy’s memory and keep his interests in the community alive,” she said.
John and the rest of his family know that this screening is honoring Rudy’s wish to help others. “Rudy knew that taking this simple test can save a lot of heartache for the person being tested, his family and friends,” John said.
A limited number of appointments are available and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To set up an appointment, call Trinity’s My Nurse at 779-2000 or 1-877-242-8899.