Over 200 men in the Farnborough area took part in a potentially lifesaving prostate cancer screening day on Saturday 12 October, thanks to an event organised by Farnborough & Aldershot Lions Club and supported by South East Water.
Earlier this year, South East Water donated £2,000 to Farnborough & Aldershot Lions Club from its Community Chest Fund to help the day to go ahead, offering men in the local area the opportunity to book in for a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test which can detect the presence of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer amongst men in the UK, withmore than 50,000 cases diagnosed every year and, statistically, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Early prostate cancer often doesn’t cause any symptoms, making early detection via PSA screening vital to ensure effective treatment.
Tanya Sephton, Customer Services Director, South East Water said: “Across the UK more than 12,000 deaths occur each year due to prostate cancer and days like this are so important in raising awareness and ensuring men come forward for what could be lifesaving testing.
“We are delighted that we could help support this good cause by providing financial help from our Community Chest Fund, and work with the Farnborough & Aldershot Lions Club to help make a difference to the health and wellbeing of men in the Farnborough area.”
Farnborough & Aldershot Lions spokesman Richard Keeley said: "We would like to sincerely thank the Southwood Medical Centre for allowing us to use the centre for this screening session along with South East Water’s Community Chest Fund, Rushmoor Council and Hampshire County Council who gave grants towards the costs of £25 per test.
“We would also like to thank the men of Rushmoor, who attended the screening session, for their generous contributions towards the cost of holding this life saving event."
PSA tests are available to all men over 50 for free from their GP, even if they do not have symptoms. For further information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psa-test/ (opens in a new tab)
Further information about the Farnborough & Aldershot Lions Club prostate cancer testing day can be found here: www.farnboroughandaldershotlions.org.uk(opens in a new tab)
This is the second time the Farnborough & Aldershot Lions Club has organised a prostate cancer testing day, with 244 men undergoing testing at an event held in September 2023.
Applications for next year’s Community Chest Fund will open in March 2025.
Share this Article: