NEARLY 1,200 prostate cancer screening tests were carried out in a single day following the return of a partnership between Reading Lions and Circle Health in Reading.
The event, which has run annually for the past 11 years, saw Circle Reading Hospital staff volunteer their time to provide free prostate cancer screening tests for 1,180 men in Reading.
PSA tests measure the levels of prostate-specific antigens in the blood.
A raised PSA level might indicate a problem with the prostate but does not always mean cancer.
In total, 16 Lions, 6 Friends of Lions, 4 phlebotomists and 58 members of staff from Circle Reading Hospital ran this year’s event.
Volunteers used a new system designed by one of the Reading Lions which was used to scan and check the men in.
On average, it took just 3.5 minutes for a man to be scanned in, have his bloods taken, and leave.
Attendees had their PSA blood tests completed at Circle Reading Hospital with all tests then sent to Frimley Park Hospital for evaluation.
Results usually take between 3-4 weeks to come through and will then be sent directly to the individual.
Recent data shows that 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime; this jumps up to 1 in 5 for Black men.
Currently prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men across the UK.
More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK–129 men every day.
Early detection has been shown to greatly improve the chances of successful treatment.
Plans are already underway to scale the event for next year, offering more men the opportunity to checked.
Further details on when and how to sign up for the 2027 screening event will be shared in the new year.
Rachel Barker, Executive Director of Circle Reading Hospital, said: “Early detection continues to be the strongest tool available to us when it comes to tackling prostate cancer.
“We were delighted to partner with The Reading Lions Club to give as many men as possible the opportunity to come forward and get tested.
“This year we were able to screen another 1,180 men–this is a great total, and I hope that next year we will be able to surpass this.”
More information about Circle Hospital Reading is available via: circlehealthgroup.co.uk
More information about Reading Lions is available via: readinglions.org.uk
