Classic Cars and Prostate Exams...yes, Prostate Exams

Gorgeous classic cars shining in the sun, live music, good food, and prostate cancer screening examinations – yes they all go together! On September 19th, the Cowtown Cruisin for a Cure Classic Car Show will be held in downtown Fort Worth. This event was created by classic car show fans that were searching for a way to raise awareness about prostate cancer and raise money for research. Some of the proceeds are donated each year to the Prostate Cancer Resource Center at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.

I remember the first car show screening in 2002 and chuckle when I think about it. We were skeptical when approached about having screenings at a car show. We sent one mobile unit and we enlisted Dr. Ace Thurman to do the screenings. The staff was overwhelmed with men seeking screenings and back up help had to be enlisted! 2003 was the first year the Prostate Cancer Resource Center was operational and as coordinator, I decided to make this our major screening event of the year. Its been a huge success, screening between 175 and 250 men a year. The costs for the screenings are underwritten by a grant from the Texas Health Harris Health Foundation and we will have up to 70 employees volunteering at the screening event tents or back in the lab processing the specimens.

Several men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer as a result of the information they received during the screening. Now there is a group of prostate cancer survivors that volunteer and help with educating the men waiting in line and encouraging men to get screened. Every year we get thanks from wives and girlfriends for having a non-threatening, fun event for their loved ones to attend. The car show is a free, fun, family event, with over 400 beautiful cars on Main Street from the convention center to the courthouse. So come bring that special man in your life, and encourage him to come learn about prostate cancer. The screening booth and mobile units will be on 5th street between Main and Houston (behind the stage) and screenings will be done from 10 am to 2 pm.

- Gayle Wilkins, MSN, RN, OCN

Prostate Nurse Navigator

Photo credit: Glen E. Ellman and Gayle Wilkins