Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has joined forces with Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group (CPCSG) to run a cancer screening project in the region.
CPCSG was established in 2005 by a small group of prostate cancer patients to provide support and encouragement to all men affected by prostate cancer and their loved ones.
At the next event, to be held on 29th October at Wycombe Arts Centre, free protein specific antigen (PSA) blood testing for men from BAME communities will take place to screen for prostate cancer.
1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer, with age (being over 50), ethnicity and a family history of cancer further increasing the risk. In particular, Afro-Caribbean men are twice as likely as white men to get prostate cancer.
Results from a previous screening event in Chesham highlight the importance of attending. At that session, 134 men were screened with 12 showing a considerably raised PSA level, prompting a fast-track cancer referral. All 12 were asymptomatic and would not have known without the screening.
As with all cancers, early diagnosis of prostate cancer correlates with better outcomes.
Joe Kearney, Urology Oncology ANP at Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust explained: “It’s great to have events like this to show men who are concerned about prostate cancer how simple, quick and potentially lifesaving it is to have a PSA test. Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. However, in cases when it is, early diagnosis can help make treatment more effective.
CPCSG Secretary Andrew Scott-Priestley added: “The initiative was driven by CPCSG Chairman Barry Sarl who was keen to ensure men could be tested, particularly those at higher risk such as men from an Afro-Caribbean background and men with a family history of prostate or breast cancers.”
Find out more about Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group here.
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