IT only takes a minute and it won’t cost you a penny – but it could save your life.
The Reading Lions are urging men to sign up for a free prostate cancer screening session this month.
More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that’s 129 men every day with one in eight developing it in their lifetime.
Previous screenings organised by the Lions have resulted in the illness, which does not always show obvious symptoms, being caught early.
A spokesperson for the charity said there were still a number of places available for the screening on Saturday, September 30.
“Our aim is to make the local community aware of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and to offer a free PSA blood test to men aged between 45 and 75.
“It is easy to book a time slot for your simple blood test. There is no charge and it only takes a minute with the results usually available within two to three weeks.”
The Lions pay for the free tests from its fundraising events throughout the year. The spokesperson added: “As there is currently no screening programme in the UK for prostate cancer, having a free PSA test can help to increase the chance of prostate cancer detection.
“Many men still think it is a somewhat obtrusive test in their rear end but this is just a blood test. We know from experience that many wives and partners encourage men to sign up but whatever the reason, we just encourage men to come forward.”
The PSA test is a blood screening test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and by prostate cancer cells. It’s normal for a man to have a small amount of PSA. A raised PSA level may however suggest a problem with the prostate, but not necessarily cancer.
The tests take place at the Circle Reading Hospital, 100 Drake Way in Reading. For more information and to book a slot, go to: https://www.readinglions.org.uk/booking5
