RUMFORD — Rumford Hospital will sponsor free prostate cancer screening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, in the Specialty Clinics on the hospital’s second floor. Appointments for this free service can be made by calling 369-1142 and leaving a name and number for a call back to schedule and preregister. This is not a walk-in clinic.

Prostate is the most common non-skin cancer and affects one in six men. Men diagnosed in the local or regional stage have a nearly 100 percent chance of survival after five years. This free clinic is offered in the hope of detecting prostate cancer for men in the River Valley area early and treating quickly.

Dr. Albert Aniel will perform digital rectal exams. The screening also includes a urine screen and a PSA (a blood test for prostate specific antigens). Men will also be offered free bone density screening following their exams. The screening clinic is a collaboration among the staffs of the Specialty Clinics, the hospital’s medical staff, laboratory and pharmacy.

Representatives from the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer will be on hand with information and personal anecdotes. Light refreshments will be served.