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Prostate Health: Signs, Screening, and When to Talk with Your Provider |
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September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and Urology Awareness Month—a good time to learn more about prostate health and the role screening can play in early detection.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. Prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, so screening can help identify changes before symptoms appear.
If the thought of a prostate exam makes you want to put off screening – you're not alone. And there’s another way to start the conversation about prostate health.
One common screening tool is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This less-invasive blood test measures PSA, a protein made by the prostate. PSA levels can rise for several reasons, so a higher reading does not necessarily point to prostate cancer. If your PSA level is higher than expected, your provider can talk with you about what it may mean and whether any follow-up testing is appropriate.
One of the biggest benefits of PSA testing is that it can help identify prostate cancer earlier, when it may be easier to treat. And because the test requires only a blood sample, it is a relatively quick, convenient option that can be incorporated into a routine health visit. |
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Screening That Comes to You
BMC Health System is bringing prostate cancer education and easy, less invasive screening closer to home for communities across Greater Boston through a mobile screening van. Men ages 40–70 who meet eligibility requirements can be screened using the PSA test. The mobile screening van and team will be at many popular local events this fall – check out our upcoming schedule and come visit us to learn more: See Where the Screening Van Will Be Next. |
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At Boston Medical Center, commitment to early detection extends beyond the walls of our medical centers. Our Urology team, ranked #38 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, is finding new ways to bring accessible screening into the communities we serve, making it easier for more men to take an important step toward understanding their prostate health. And our specialists provide expert, compassionate care for a full range of urologic conditions, with advanced treatment options and team-based care tailored to each patient. |
| Explore Urology Care at BMC → |
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Due For a Mammogram? This October, We're Making It Easy |
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Making time for your mammogram just got a little easier with dedicated weekend hours for screenings happening the first weekend of October. On October 3 and 4, our team is opening reserved screening slots from 7:30am–4:00pm at the Moakley Building, Suite 1300. If you're age 40–75 and haven't had a mammogram in the past year, this is a great opportunity to prioritize your health without rearranging your week.
Appointments are required, and spaces are limited. To schedule yours, call 617-414-9729 and press 2. Please take advantage of this opportunity to prioritize your health and wellness. Early screening saves lives, and our team is here for you.
The Belkin Breast Imaging Center provides state of the art breast imaging care to all patients receiving their care at Boston Medical Center. Whether you have a concern or are just coming in for a screening exam, we are committed to providing you with expert care that works around your life. |
| Learn More About BMC’s Breast Imaging Center → |
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30 Years of Care Can Leave a Lifetime of Impact |
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As we continue to celebrate 30 years of BMC, we’re reflecting not only on how far we’ve come, but on the lives, we’ve touched along the way. For some patients, the care they receive here becomes part of their life story—shaping what comes next in ways that can last for decades.
More than 30 years ago, a life-threatening injury brought one young patient to our hospital. The care he received changed the trajectory of his life. Today, as a grown adult, he still remembers the people who cared for him and still credits the hospital with helping make his future possible—and still returns to the department that saved his life, treats in hand, to say thank you.
His story is a powerful reminder that the impact of care doesn’t end when a patient leaves the hospital. Sometimes, it lasts a lifetime.
In the summer of 1994, 15-year-old Joe Tierney was living in Hyde Park and working his first summer job for a local property management company. During his third week on the job, he was helping a tenant move out of an apartment building a few blocks from his house.
“Any other day, I would have been given a ride, but I said, ‘I’ll walk home, guys,’” Joe recalls. “As I was leaving, I got hit by a car right in front of the complex on Truman Parkway.”
Neighbors rushed to help. A family friend, who happened to be out for a jog, found Joe unconscious in the street, called an ambulance, and alerted Joe’s father, who came running from their nearby home.
Recognizing the severity of his injuries, the paramedics rushed Joe and his father to Boston City Hospital—one of the two hospitals that would later merge to become Boston Medical Center.
“Hands down, the best trauma unit in the country,” Joe says, recalling the story he was later told. “That’s where we’re going to go. That’s where he’ll receive the best care.”
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Add These Simple Habits and Protect Your Brain Health During Healthy Aging Month |
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Everyday choices can keep your brain sharp as you get older. Brain health isn't only about memory. It's shaped by habits you can build at any age.
The Alzheimer's Association calls these 10 healthy habits for your brain, and September's Healthy Aging Month offers a fitting moment to put them into practice:
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Challenge your mind: Learn a new skill or try something artistic.
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Keep learning: Take a class at your local library or online.
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Get moving: Aim for at least 150 minutes of activity each week. Walking, dancing, and gardening all count.
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Protect your head: Wear a helmet and seatbelt to prevent injury.
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Be smoke-free: Quitting protects your brain and body.
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Control your blood pressure: Keep it in a healthy range to lower your risk for stroke.
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Manage diabetes: Steady blood sugar helps protect your blood vessels.
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Eat right: Choose more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
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Maintain a healthy weight: A healthy weight eases strain on your heart and blood vessels.
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Sleep well: Aim for seven to nine hours each night.
Talk with your care team about which habits fit your life.
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BMC Named to Newsweek’s Best-In-State Hospitals for 2026
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We're excited to share that BMC has been named one of Newsweek's Best in State Hospitals for 2026.
At BMC, we design care around the people we serve—meeting patients where they are and treating every person as an equal partner in their health.
The ranking is based on four measures: hospital quality metrics, hospital reputation, patient experience, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) implementation. Learn More About the Award.
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BMC Named to Newsweek’s Best-In-State Hospitals for 2026
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We're excited to share that BMC has been named one of Newsweek's Best in State Hospitals for 2026.
At BMC, we design care around the people we serve—meeting patients where they are and treating every person as an equal partner in their health.
The ranking is based on four measures: hospital quality metrics, hospital reputation, patient experience, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) implementation. Learn More About the Award.
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BMC Health System Named to Boston Magazine’s List of Greater Boston’s Top Hospitals for Surgery
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BMC Health System's hospitals were included in Boston Magazine's list of Top Hospitals for Surgery for multiple specialties and procedures, such as Cancer Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and more.
The methodology draws on medical claims data to evaluate hospitals on the outcomes that matter — mortality and complication rates, patient safety, and recovery and discharge rates — while also factoring in physician nominations to reflect provider expertise and quality of care. See The Full List of Awardees.
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BMC Health System Named to Boston Magazine’s List of Greater Boston’s Top Hospitals for Surgery
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BMC Health System's hospitals were included in Boston Magazine's list of Top Hospitals for Surgery for multiple specialties and procedures, such as Cancer Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and more.
The methodology draws on medical claims data to evaluate hospitals on the outcomes that matter — mortality and complication rates, patient safety, and recovery and discharge rates — while also factoring in physician nominations to reflect provider expertise and quality of care. See The Full List of Awardees.
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Recognizing National Recovery Month at the Grayken Center for Addiction
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Recovery is possible, and it happens every day. Behind every person living with a substance use disorder is a circle of family and loved ones who share in the journey—offering encouragement, patience, and hope. Their support matters, and so does access to compassionate, effective care.
At Boston Medical Center, the Grayken Center for Addiction works to ensure that everyone with a substance use disorder has access to effective, evidence-based treatment and support. A national leader in addiction medicine, Grayken serves patients from birth through geriatric care and strengthens services and resources for families affected by addiction. Its programs include:
This month is National Recovery Month, a time to recognize the strength of people living with addiction and the families impacted by it. It follows National Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, when we remember those we have lost and recommit to the compassion and connection that recovery requires. At Grayken, that commitment is ongoing—dismantling barriers, reducing stigma, and helping more people find recovery and live healthier lives.
If you or a loved one is in need of support, reaching out is a meaningful first step. The Grayken Center for Addiction is here to help you find the care that fits your life. Learn More About the Grayken Center for Addiction. |
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Recognizing National Recovery Month at the Grayken Center for Addiction
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Recovery is possible, and it happens every day. Behind every person living with a substance use disorder is a circle of family and loved ones who share in the journey—offering encouragement, patience, and hope. Their support matters, and so does access to compassionate, effective care.
At Boston Medical Center, the Grayken Center for Addiction works to ensure that everyone with a substance use disorder has access to effective, evidence-based treatment and support. A national leader in addiction medicine, Grayken serves patients from birth through geriatric care and strengthens services and resources for families affected by addiction. Its programs include:
This month is National Recovery Month, a time to recognize the strength of people living with addiction and the families impacted by it. It follows National Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, when we remember those we have lost and recommit to the compassion and connection that recovery requires. At Grayken, that commitment is ongoing—dismantling barriers, reducing stigma, and helping more people find recovery and live healthier lives.
If you or a loved one is in need of support, reaching out is a meaningful first step. The Grayken Center for Addiction is here to help you find the care that fits your life. Learn More About the Grayken Center for Addiction. |
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EQTY 2026: Designing a Healthier Future, Together
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What would healthcare look like if we designed it around the realities of people’s lives?
That’s the question at the heart of EQTY 2026, BMC Health System’s annual conference, which brings together healthcare leaders, researchers, clinicians, community changemakers, and others for two days (October 19 & 20) of work to create a more equitable future for health.
While EQTY is designed for a professional audience, its focus has a direct connection to the care we provide every day: listening to communities, addressing barriers to good health, and turning ideas into meaningful action and change.
This year’s theme, Forward by Design, reflects BMC’s commitment to looking ahead – and rethinking how healthcare can better serve every patient and community. Learn More about EQTY 2026.
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EQTY 2026: Designing a Healthier Future, Together
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What would healthcare look like if we designed it around the realities of people’s lives?
That’s the question at the heart of EQTY 2026, BMC Health System’s annual conference, which brings together healthcare leaders, researchers, clinicians, community changemakers, and others for two days (October 19 & 20) of work to create a more equitable future for health.
While EQTY is designed for a professional audience, its focus has a direct connection to the care we provide every day: listening to communities, addressing barriers to good health, and turning ideas into meaningful action and change.
This year’s theme, Forward by Design, reflects BMC’s commitment to looking ahead – and rethinking how healthcare can better serve every patient and community. Learn More about EQTY 2026.
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Double Your Impact for Good Health: Adopt a Bee
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Right now, we are raising essential funds for BMC programs, like our Preventive Food Pantry, Teaching Kitchen, and more, that help all Boston families. "Adopt" a bee from our rooftop farms by donating any amount to BMC, and your gift will be matched to double your impact. BMC patients Charonda and baby Chosen are big BeeMC fans and are grateful for the excellent care they receive from BMC's Curbside Care team. When you give, you'll get your own adoption certificate — surprise a friend or loved one by naming your bee in their honor! There's Still Time to Adopt Your Bee. Donate Today.
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Double Your Impact for Good Health: Adopt a Bee
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Right now, we are raising essential funds for BMC programs, like our Preventive Food Pantry, Teaching Kitchen, and more, that help all Boston families. "Adopt" a bee from our rooftop farms by donating any amount to BMC, and your gift will be matched to double your impact. BMC patients Charonda and baby Chosen are big BeeMC fans and are grateful for the excellent care they receive from BMC's Curbside Care team. When you give, you'll get your own adoption certificate — surprise a friend or loved one by naming your bee in their honor! There's Still Time to Adopt Your Bee. Donate Today.
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Flu Season Is Here: Get Your Flu Shot
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A flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu and lower your risk of serious illness if you do get sick. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
Getting your flu shot is especially important if you are pregnant, have a chronic health condition, or have a young child, as these groups are at higher risk for serious complications from the flu.
Protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season. Schedule your flu shot today.
Boston Medical Center is here to help you and your family stay healthy during flu season. Learn more about where to get your flu shot and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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Flu Season Is Here: Get Your Flu Shot
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A flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu and lower your risk of serious illness if you do get sick. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
Getting your flu shot is especially important if you are pregnant, have a chronic health condition, or have a young child, as these groups are at higher risk for serious complications from the flu.
Protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season. Schedule your flu shot today.
Boston Medical Center is here to help you and your family stay healthy during flu season. Learn more about where to get your flu shot and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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BMC In The News |
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We’re excited to spotlight recent media coverage that features BMC experts sharing insights on timely health topics. From national outlets to local platforms, these stories reflect our commitment to improving care, advancing equity, and supporting our patients and communities every step of the way. |
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Why Allergies Are Lasting Longer in New England
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If your allergies have felt more intense this year, you're not alone. Seasonal allergy patterns are shifting, and longer pollen seasons mean symptoms persist well beyond the traditional spring and summer months.
When 90-degree weather hit in mid-May, it accelerated tree pollen across the region—and people with seasonal allergies can expect the effects to linger into fall. Paul J. Maglione, MD, PhD, board-certified allergist-immunologist at Boston Medical Center, recently shared insight with the Boston Globe on what's driving the change and what people with seasonal allergies can expect."
“If trends from previous years continue, we can expect a longer fall pollen season, which would mean symptoms lasting later into the autumn for those sensitive to ragweed and other weed pollens," says Dr. Maglione. Read the Full Story in the Boston Globe. |
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Why Allergies Are Lasting Longer in New England
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If your allergies have felt more intense this year, you're not alone. Seasonal allergy patterns are shifting, and longer pollen seasons mean symptoms persist well beyond the traditional spring and summer months.
When 90-degree weather hit in mid-May, it accelerated tree pollen across the region—and people with seasonal allergies can expect the effects to linger into fall. Paul J. Maglione, MD, PhD, board-certified allergist-immunologist at Boston Medical Center, recently shared insight with the Boston Globe on what's driving the change and what people with seasonal allergies can expect."
“If trends from previous years continue, we can expect a longer fall pollen season, which would mean symptoms lasting later into the autumn for those sensitive to ragweed and other weed pollens," says Dr. Maglione. Read the Full Story in the Boston Globe. |
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In Your Words |
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“In Your Words” features patient comments from patient experience outreach surveys. We appreciate your time completing these surveys and for sharing your thoughts with us. The information gathered in these surveys is used to learn where we can improve, to continue to provide exceptional care to all. |
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“Robert Deshane was excellent. He was smart, listened well, cared about my health, and made great recommendations. He was very reassuring and helpful…PA Robert Deshane made my six hour round trip drive to BMC SOOOO worth it. He was that good. And by extension, I feel very confident Dr. Katz is the right doctor for me, as he surely knows how to attract and keep an outstanding PA.” – BMC Urology Patient |
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“Robert Deshane was excellent. He was smart, listened well, cared about my health, and made great recommendations. He was very reassuring and helpful…PA Robert Deshane made my six hour round trip drive to BMC SOOOO worth it. He was that good. And by extension, I feel very confident Dr. Katz is the right doctor for me, as he surely knows how to attract and keep an outstanding PA.” – BMC Urology Patient |
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