BAMBERG -- Bamberg County residents and others will have the opportunity to receive free prostate cancer screenings this weekend as part of a $20,000 American Cancer Society grant secured by the Orangeburg County Health Department for health initiatives in the surrounding community.

Free prostate screenings are scheduled to take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at the Bamberg Job Corps Center on Carlisle Street in Bamberg. All males 45 years of age and older are encouraged to have a prostate specific antigen test to help detect the disease.

Bamberg County resident Charles Ayers is a four-year cancer survivor who knows first-hand the importance of early detection. He credits a PSA test with helping to save his life.

"Early detection says lives, and that's what happened with me," Ayers said. "From age 40 to age 61, I had a prostate screening every year. I was screened in 2002 and again in 2003. In 2002, there was nothing there, but 15 months later, my PSA shot up.

"I had an examination, and they discovered I had cancer. So, having those screenings every year ... makes a whole lot of difference."

Trouble passing urine, painful ejaculation and nagging pain in the back, hips or pelvis are among the symptoms of prostate cancer. Ayers exhibited none, making his PSA test even more critical, he said.

Ayers welcomes individuals without transportation to the free screening event on June 21 to give him a call at his home at 803-245-5027. His church is also providing a bus to transport people to the Bamberg Job Corps Center.

Now cancer free, Ayers said he was determined to not let cancer get him down.

"I didn't let it control my life or get me down," he said. "I continued with my life. I had cancer, but cancer did not have me."

A free breakfast will be given from 9 to 9:20 a.m. The first 75 males screened will also be given a $10 gas coupon.

To register or for more information, call 803-245-6351 or 8032-245-0987.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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