New drive to encourage men to have prostate cancer checks

Dr Christopher Blick, consultant urologist at the Rutherford Cancer Centre, said: “It is very important that men are aware of the risks of prostate cancer and when it is likely to occur. Whilst in most cases it will occur in later life, it is still possible for men in their 50s or even late 40s to get prostate cancer.”

“This is an opportunity to raise the profile of prostate cancer and offer concerned men a blood test courtesy of the Reading Lions Club. Men who have a raised PSA will be contacted and advised on their next steps.”

To undertake a PSA test privately would typically incur a cost of £120 - £160.

Alan McMahon, 71, from Emmer Green, also attended last year’s event after coming across a Reading Lions leaflet promoting the event.

“I learned of the event after my wife and I were given a Lions’ leaflet in Costa, Caversham regarding the Prostate Cancer awareness day they were having. Previously unaware of this programme we thought it was an excellent opportunity for me, even though I was totally symptomless regarding the cancer and apparently in very good health. I had my blood test and, when I received the Lions result letter, I was shocked to see that my PSA reading was abnormally high. I immediately contacted my GP and she referred me to a specialist urologist at the Royal Berks.”

“I am so pleased and relieved that I had responded to the Lions’ flyer. After a month of Radiotherapy I was placed on a three-monthly hormone injection programme and my PSA reading is now virtually Zero. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Lions have saved my life as the cancer was caught just in time before it spread elsewhere. I cannot stress enough how important it is that ALL men over 50 be tested and therefore take advantage of this event at the Rutherford centre and book a test.”