Sam's Club Hosts Free Men's Health Screenings Event

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Prostate cancer affects one in six men over the age of 50, making it one of the most common types of cancer found in American men and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in men.¹ To make preventive care easily accessible during Men's Health Month in June, Sam's Club will host free health screenings on Saturday, June 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The screenings are free and available to the public at all Sam's Club locations with a pharmacy (565). While the health screening event focuses on men's health, the screenings for both men and women are available. The free health screening event features tests valued at up to $150, including:²

• PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for men – This test measures a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous prostate tissue and can help identify cancer early on.
• TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test for women – This test measures thyroid hormone levels and identifies overactive and underactive thyroid glands, which can be the root of various health problems.
• Blood pressure
• BMI (body mass index)
• Vision

"It is important for men to actively monitor their health and understand the unique issues they can face," said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Sam's Club Health and Wellness. "Sam's Club hosts preventive screenings to offer a free and easy way for men to receive an annual PSA test, for families to offer the gift of health for dad this Father's Day and to help our customers understand how preventive care can save lives."

Sam's Club has offered PSA and TSH screenings for three years, receiving feedback from members on the impact of preventive care. Last year, 63-year-old Sam's Club member Gary W. received a free PSA screening at his Virginia club. Through the screening, Gary discovered his PSA levels were elevated, and he was encouraged to follow up with his physician. Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer and began a course of treatment as a result of the follow-up consultation. At the time of his Sam's Club screening, Gary did not show symptoms of illness, but through the free test, he was grateful to receive the medical information he needed to manage his diagnosis.

Hosting free monthly health screenings is only one way Sam's Club Pharmacy provides savings and preventive care to each community it serves. Sam's Club offers $4/$10 generic prescription prices to the public, and Sam's Plus and Sam's Business members receive an additional 8 percent on name-brand prescriptions, 40 percent on generics not part of the $4/$10 generic prescription program, and access to the Extra Value Drug Program, featuring 10 to 30 percent savings on select name-brand and generic prescriptions.³ In 2012, Sam's Club Pharmacy program was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among mass merchandiser pharmacies in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Pharmacy Study.⁴

Sam's Club features pharmacy benefits and men's health tips about prostate cancer and the importance of regular check-ups in the May/June 2013 issue of Healthy Living Made Simple magazine. With the highest circulation of any health-focused publication at 8 million, Healthy Living Made Simple is available at Sam's Club Pharmacy, Member Service counters and online at SamsClub.com/healthyliving.

About Sam's Club^®
Sam's Club^®, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation's eighth largest retailer and a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. Sam's Club members averaged savings of 33 percent versus traditional retailers.⁵ To learn more about Savings Made Simple^®, visit the Sam's Club Newsroom, shop at SamsClub.com, and interact with Sam's Club on Twitter and Facebook.

¹ American Cancer Society. Prostate Cancer Overview. January 17, 2013. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/overviewguide/prostate-cancer-overview-key-statistics.

² Limited quantities available. Screening types and quantities may vary by state and club. Screenings are available only at clubs with a pharmacy (565 locations). Membership not required. All tests are performed by licensed professionals. Vision tests are not available in all Sam's Club locations.

³ Discounts available only for cash purchases by Plus Members, and do not apply to purchases by non-Plus Members or to purchases submitted to any health benefit program, pharmacy benefit program, insurer or state/federal government health care program. Prices on Extra Value Drug List include discounts based on the specified quantity. Higher quantities cost more. Discount savings are based on the dispensing Sam's Club Pharmacy's regular retail cash price. Discounts available only at retail Sam's Club Pharmacies and do not apply to SamsClub.com purchases. Discounts do not apply to prescriptions covered under $4/$10 prescription program. Discounts cannot be combined with any other discount card or discount arrangement, or any other promotion. Discounts do not apply when listed prescriptions are dispensed as part of a compound. Discounts may be limited to covered prescription drugs of select manufacturers that are in stock at the dispensing pharmacy. Restrictions apply. Terms subject to change.

⁴ Sam's Club received the highest numerical score among mass merchandiser pharmacies in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Pharmacy Study^SM. Study is based on 12,764 total responses and measures 11 mass merchandiser pharmacies. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed July-August 2012. Experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

⁵ Based on estimated annualized savings on items Members purchased in select categories derived from a survey conducted in 30 U.S. markets between 2/25/2013 and 3/15/2013 comparing our regular unit prices to regular and shelf-visible sale and loyalty discount unit prices of selected non-club competitors, including but not limited to grocery stores and mass retailers but excluding Walmart^®. Local savings for individual customers vary. For more information, please send requests to the attention of Sam's Club Member Services, 2101 SE Simple Savings Drive, Bentonville, AR 72716-0745.

SOURCE Sam's Club