FARMINGTON – Franklin Memorial Hospital will host the annual Men’s HealthFest from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 11. The event will offer free prostate cancer exams, health screenings and information on a variety of health topics.

Men’s HealthFest is being co-sponsored by Healthy Community Coalition and Franklin Urology, a medical practice of Franklin Memorial Hospital. The attending clinicians will be Dr. Richard Batstone and nurse practitioner Susan Ferra, both of whom are affiliated with Franklin Urology.

All men are encouraged to attend, especially those over the age of 50.

Batstone said, “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men. One in six American men is at a lifetime risk of prostate cancer and if a close relative has prostate cancer, a man’s risk of the disease more than doubles.”

If symptoms occur, they may include difficulty starting urination, reduced force of stream of urine, urinating small amounts frequently, urinating more frequently during the night and painful urination. Often there are no symptoms, which is why screening is important.

The prostate screening will utilize the PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test, a physical exam and a urine test. Appointments are required for anyone wanting a prostate screening, as space is limited. To make an appointment, call 778-4353. For more information about Men’s HealthFest, contact the Healthy Community Coalition at 645-3136.