"His and Her Night" at Northfield Hospital

It’s “His and Her Night” Monday, Sept. 29, at Northfield Hospital.

Women are invited to the first in a series of presentations on women’s health issues provided by physicians from Women’s Health Center of Northfield Hospital. Men are invited to a free prostate screening at FamilyHealth Medical Clinic.

Melanie H. Dixon, MD, an obstetrics and gynecological specialist at Women’s Health Center, will speak on menopause. Her talk, titled: “Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just Me?” begins at 7 p.m. in the hospital Conference Center. It is free; no pre-registration is required.

Randy Reister, MD, an Internal Medical specialist with FamilyHealth Medical Clinic, and Jeff Twidwell, MD, a urology specialist with Urology Associates, will provide prostate screening for men between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The 15-minute exam includes a digital exam and a blood draw for a PSA test. Men will also be invited to stay for brats on the grill and watch Monday Night Football’s pre-game in the clinic lobby. To make an appointment, call 507-646-1494.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American males, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Age is the main risk factor for prostate cancer. It is usually confined to men age 55 or over with an average age of 70 at the time of diagnosis. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the more easily it can be treated. The introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has been a huge aid in detecting cancer of the prostate before it can spread to other tissues. That’s why physicians recommend men 55 and older be screened on a regular basis in consultation with their physician.

The Women’s Health Series will continue through the fall. It includes a special promotion called Spa Week to encourage women to schedule their mammograms. Women who schedule a mammogram for October 20, 21, 22, 29, 30 or 31 will be treated to a special mini-spa experience. Call 507-646-1143 for an appointment.

Other presentations in this fall’s women’s health series are:

• “Take Charge of Your Breast Health: What Every Woman Needs To Know About Breast Care,” featuring Jose Fulco, MD, a surgeon at Northfield Hospital, with educational displays and experiential learning opportunities, Thursday, Oct. 23, FamilyHealth Medical Clinic
• "Why Is My Pap Smear Abnormal? Human Papilloma Virus and the New HPV Vaccine," Christine Braun, MD, an OB/GYN specialist at Women’s Health Center, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. Conference Center;
• “Urinary Incontinence,” Ann Friedmann, MD, OB/GYN specialist at Women’s Health Center, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 pm., Conference Center;
• “Infertility,” Justine Politz, WHNP, Women’s Health Center, Thursday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. Conference Center. All are free and open to the public.

If you have any questions about these opportunities, call 507-646-1035.