Local men’s health charity CHAPS is holding a Prostate Cancer Screening Day in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Portman Road on Saturday 4th May (10am-1pm).

Prostate Cancer is our biggest single cancer challenge with deaths in the UK having risen to nearly 12,000 per year, a rate now exceeding deaths from breast cancer.

This is one of the highest death rates in the world, yet no NHS prostate cancer screening programme exists, despite nearly all current major international guidelines recommending screening with a simple blood test.

CHAPS works to raise awareness and provide opportunities for men to be screened - being in a screening programme can halve the risk of dying from Prostate Cancer - and they have joined forces with the Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal to put on a screening event at Portman Road.

Barry Kilby was the chairman of Burnley until he was found to have advanced prostate cancer as a result of a screening in 2012.

Barry had no symptoms, despite the cancer having spread widely. Fortunately he responded well to treatment and he has subsequently devoted time and money to offer screening to save lives, as his was saved.

He has run events for hundreds of men at his football club Burnley and since then at Preston North End and Blackburn.

Screening is for all men over 40 and is particularly recommended for men with a family history of prostate or breast cancer or of black African and Caribbean background, who have twice the risk compared with white men.

Come along to Gate 17 at Portman Road where you can gain entry to the Sir Bobby Robson suite any time from 10am to 1pm and have a simple blood test. No appointment is necessary. There will be a minimal donation of £5.

As well as the support of the Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal, CHAPS is grateful for the support of the East Suffolk Prostate Cancer Support Group, the Caribbean & African Community Health Support Forum.

Photo: Contributed

linhdi added 10:18 - May 2 Every time one of these sessions is run, at least one person finds they need urgent treatment. Catching prostate cancer early makes a massive difference. Having this test could save your life.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 12:23 - May 2 you can avoid prostrate cancer by remaining in a standing position
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thevoiceofreason added 18:14 - May 2 Appreciate laughter can be the best medicine but not sure about that comment. I was diagnosed with high risk prostate.cancer last September at the age of 52. No symptoms, just decided to get checked out. Not a pleasant experience! I have just finished chemotherapy and hopefully they can have a go at curing it now. My advice to all is get checked out. Don't let them put you off. You are entitled to a PSA check. I know it is not as reliable as they would like but I don't think there is anything to lose.

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Felstow1978 added 18:24 - May 2 Thevoiceofreason - best wishes for a full and speedy recovery
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LegendofthePhoenix added 20:04 - May 2 On a more serious note, I had an enlarged prostate, went through the MRI scan which indicated high probability of cancer, and then a targetted biopsy - which gave me the all clear. Last year, had a PAE procedure, which has worked brilliantly well to alleviate the symptoms of the enlarged prostate. Anyone suffering from sudden urges to pee, then difficulty in going when you get there, go see you GP and have a test for raised PSA level. The worst thing is to do nothing. Oh, and keep smiling.

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thevoiceofreason added 20:28 - May 2 Felstow1978 - Ta. I will probably need all the help I can get!
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