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Harbor bridge lights blue for prostate cancer awareness month

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In honor of prostate cancer awareness month, Radiology Associates has worked with the city of Corpus Christi to change the Harbor Bridge lights to a radiant light blue.

According to the American Cancer Society, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. About 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime.

The blue lights on the Harbor Bridge is a reminder that prostate cancer exists.“ It’s a common disease in men and we need to be aware and we need to take care to have our cancer screened and if you have it, treat it,” said M.D. of Radiology Associates Dr. David Wilson.

Every year about 33,000 men die from the disease and about 190,000 new cases are diagnosed.

“It seems like more and more men that are under the age of 55 that are getting prostate cancer,” said Dr. Wilson.

According to the American Cancer Society, Some of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include problems urinating, blood in the urine, pain in the hips, back and spine, weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control. Most prostate cancers are found early through screening.

“Obtaining a blood test called a serum PSA. Which is a sensitive test for detecting which patients may be at risk for having prostate cancer,” said Dr. Wilson. There is some good news, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it because it can often be treated successfully.

“Rate of death has decreased over the last 10 to 20 years as a result of increased awareness and better diagnostic treatment choices,” said Dr. Wilson.

Radiology associates understand the importance of raising awareness.

They have arranged for the lights on the harbor bridge to stay blue for the next two weeks.