Official event artwork for BBQ, Brews & Blue, the annual free prostate screening event at the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith. Image via United Way of Fort Smith Area event listing.
Hey Fort Smith — here's one of those local things that's actually useful enough to put on somebody's radar before tomorrow gets here.
The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House is hosting its annual “BBQ, Brews & Blue” prostate cancer screening event Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Fort Smith.
The prostate screening itself is free and uses a PSA blood test.
The event also includes a BBQ dinner, craft beer, yard games and family activities.
It's happening at the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 South M Street in Fort Smith.
The screening is being offered in partnership with the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation and Dr. Basham with Mercy Urology.
And yes — the actual prostate screening is free.
This isn't one of those events where admission is free and then somebody finds out the medical test costs money once they get there.
The public event listing specifically identifies the screening as a free PSA prostate screening using a simple blood test.
A PSA test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.
One thing worth understanding before somebody hears the word “screening” and assumes too much:
A PSA result by itself does not diagnose prostate cancer.
The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation explains that PSA levels can be elevated for multiple reasons, including non-cancerous prostate conditions.
If a screening produces a suspicious result, additional medical evaluation may be needed.
That's what screening is designed to do — identify something that may deserve a closer look before somebody ever develops obvious symptoms.
The timing is pretty convenient too.
Thursday, Sept. 17
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House
3324 South M Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas
That evening schedule is probably one of the most useful parts for somebody who keeps putting off basic health screening because taking half a day off work isn't realistic.
You don't have to schedule a 10:15 Tuesday morning appointment just to get a basic screening started.
September is also Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which is when the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation increases its screening and education efforts around the state.
So who should think about going?
We're not going to invent an age cutoff because the current Fort Smith event listing doesn't publish one.
It also doesn't clearly say whether advance registration is required.
So if you're unsure whether you qualify, recently had a PSA test, take medications that may affect prostate testing or simply want to make sure you can walk in, call the Cancer Support House before heading over.
The contact listed for Thursday's event is Ashley Boyd at 479-782-6302.
The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation notes that age, family history and race can affect prostate cancer risk and encourages men to discuss their individual screening decision with a healthcare provider.
The important part locally is that you don't have to have every answer figured out before taking the first step.
What happens after the test?
The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation says its screening program reviews laboratory results and provides screening results to participants afterward.
If something suspicious appears, the Foundation's patient-navigation program can help explain the result and guide someone toward appropriate follow-up care.
That's an important part of the process.
Handing somebody an abnormal lab result without telling them what happens next wouldn't be very useful.
The Reynolds Cancer Support House also provides free non-medical services throughout the year, including patient navigation, transportation assistance, nutrition support, support groups and help connecting people with other community resources.
This is exactly the kind of local opportunity people usually find out about one day too late.
You know how it goes.
Somebody sees the Facebook post Friday morning and says:
“Damn, I would've gone.”
So here's the heads-up before Thursday evening.
You don't have to be a current cancer patient to understand why catching something early matters.
And you don't need to turn the evening into some giant medical ordeal.
Show up.
Get the blood test.
Eat some BBQ.
Ask whatever questions you've been putting off.
Then go home.
Hey Fort Smith — here's the useful version.
Free prostate cancer PSA screening Thursday evening.
Sept. 17.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Reynolds Cancer Support House — 3324 South M Street.
The screening is a simple blood test and is being offered with the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation and Mercy Urology.
They've also got BBQ, craft beer, yard games and family activities, so the whole thing is intentionally set up to feel less like sitting around a clinic waiting room.
If you've been saying, “Yeah, I probably need to get that checked sometime,” this is one of those opportunities where “sometime” can just be tomorrow.
And if you've got a dad, brother, husband, uncle or friend who will never schedule this stuff for himself, send him this.
For questions about eligibility or whether advance registration is needed, call 479-782-6302 before going.
Community takeaway: The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House is offering free PSA prostate cancer screenings Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 3324 South M Street in Fort Smith. The screening is a simple blood test offered in partnership with the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation and Mercy Urology. The public event listing does not specify age eligibility or whether registration is required, so anyone unsure should call 479-782-6302 before attending.
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Sources: United Way of Fort Smith Area — BBQ, Brews & Blue event details · Reynolds Cancer Support House — September event calendar · Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation — free screening program and PSA information
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