Catawba County minority prostate cancer deaths outnumber those in North Carolina by 23 percent. 

Catawba County Public Health research shows that a large segment of the county’s minority population is not being screened for prostate cancer, which puts them at greater risk of not detecting the disease in its earliest and most treatable stages.  According to the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina, prostate cancer is often curable if diagnosed early.  Because it often shows no symptoms, it can go undetected for years.

To combat these statistics, Catawba Valley Medical Center offers free prostate screenings during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (September) and at other times during the year.  In addition, the medical center has hosted “Men’s Tune Up for Health” in conjunction with the Hickory Crawdads to highlight the importance of prostate cancer screenings among a variety of men’s health issues.

For those coping with a prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, the medical center has partnered with the Catawba County Health Partners Task Force, the American Cancer Society, and area medical professionals to create a prostate cancer-specific support group.  Called “Man to Man,” the group is led by a prostate cancer survivor and offers monthly presentations and group discussions.

In terms of treatment, Catawba Valley Medical Center has invested in leading-edge technology to provide the most advanced options available.  The daVinci Surgical System, first introduced to the Catawba Valley by the medical center in early 2006, incorporates robotics to enable complex, minimally invasive surgical procedures.  Treating radical prostatectomy was the first local application of this breakthrough surgical platform.

“My sister is an oncology nurse at Catawba Valley Medical Center, and she taught me about the importance of getting tested for prostate problems.  I’ve even convinced five of my friends to get annual check-ups, too.” ~ Curtis Holloway