Prostate Cancer PSA testing Hayling Island 10th Feb.

Published 09:30 on 15 Sep 2023

Prostate Cancer PSA testing Hayling Island 10th Feb.

This is not sailing related but could just save your life.

Each year in the UK over 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. In its early stages the cancer can develop quietly without obvious symptoms. Even changes such as difficulty or discomfort in passing water may be wrongly assumed to be simply the ageing process.

Finding cancer early greatly increases the chance of a cure, whereas late diagnosis can limit the treatment options. The PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test currently serves as the best indicator of prostate problems that may include cancer. There is still no national screening process and although any man over the age of 50 is entitled to ask their GP for a PSA test some GPs are reluctant to refer men without symptoms.

On Saturday 10th February the Hayling Island Lions, in cooperation with the charity PCaSO (prostate cancer support organisation), will be running a PSA test event at the Hayling Island Community Centre. Registration is required at www.pcaso.mypsatests.org.uk

Further testing events are scheduled for Portsmouth (17thMarch), Gosport (20th April) and Fareham (15th June). No set charge is made for the test, although donations to cover the test costs are accepted.

Further details are available from John Bassford (vicecommodore@langstonesc.org.uk)