Ensenada’s Health Services Jurisdiction is providing free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests to men aged 45 and older during Mexico’s National Public Health Week. The screening campaign aims to catch prostate cancer in its earliest stages, when the disease typically produces no symptoms.
Rubén Lucero Ocampo, head of the local health jurisdiction, is urging men to take advantage of the no-cost tests. He said men with a family history of prostate cancer should consider themselves a priority for screening.
How the PSA Test Works
The PSA test is a simple blood draw requiring only a few drops. It measures levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, though other conditions such as an enlarged prostate or prostatitis can also raise the number.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Mexican men. The disease often develops silently, with no pain or noticeable symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have advanced to a point where treatment options are more limited.
Where to Get Tested
The tests are being offered through Ensenada’s local health jurisdiction offices as part of the national campaign. Men 45 and older can visit during the public health week to receive the screening at no charge. No private insurance or Mexican social security enrollment is required.
In the United States, a PSA test typically costs between $30 and $80 out of pocket. The American Cancer Society recommends that men begin discussing prostate screening with a doctor at age 50 for average-risk individuals, or at age 45 for those at higher risk, including men with a first-degree relative diagnosed before age 65.
Mexico’s National Public Health Week is a recurring federal initiative coordinated by the country’s health ministry. It typically includes vaccination drives, disease screenings, and health education campaigns at clinics across the country.
This story was first reported by Ensenada.net.