“Guys Night Out” free health screening at MLK Health Center

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – It’s a guy’s night out to better their health.

The MLK Health Center held its fifth annual “Guys Night Out” health and wellness screening Tuesday evening. Men could check their blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, along with screenings for STDs and HIV.

Nurses also administered a PSA blood draw for prostate cancer. Health officials said prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death for men in the United States, but if caught early the survival rate can be 90%.

The MLK Center said they host this annual health screening because data shows that more than 40% of men only go to the doctor if they have a serious concern, and sometimes, by then, it is too late to intervene properly.

“Because of advances in medicine we have a lot of tools and technology to help people live well with chronic disease and tools to prevent chronic disease but you have to know your risk factors. So we wanted to create a fun way for guys to come out after work at no cost to them so they can take charge of their health because men are so important to our families to our community and we want to make sure they are taken care of themselves,” said Jordan Scroggs, executive director.

The center offers care for those with and without insurance, along with accepting walk-in patients.

They will host their “Mammograms and Manicures” for women in October.