Prostate tests at Shropshire club find 200 men have cancer
More than 200 men have discovered they have prostate cancer as a result of an Bridgnorth Lions Club’s annual testing event held over the last six years.
Bridgnorth Lions Club started the tests in 2009 with a couple of hundred people – and last year more than 750 men attended the event in Castle Hall.
Blood tests may indicate the signs of early changes to the level of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA).
Peter Parker, president of Bridgnorth Lions Club, said: “It’s been an incredible journey for us since we started it in 2009.
“I found out about the testing as I play golf at Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club and the captain’s charity of the year was Kidderminster Prostate Cancer Association.
“The representative who collected the money at the end of the year said there were tests in Kidderminster taking place.
“I went back to my fellow Lions and said we’re all over 50, we should all have a test.
“Subsequently, we started it in Bridgnorth, and it’s such an incredible thing.”
More than 200 people with prostate cancer have been identified from the annual testing held in the town.
Mr Parker said: “A total of 750 guys turn up every October to have this test.
“We’ve picked up over 200 people in Bridgnorth with prostate cancer.
“The PSA test is not a definitive way of detecting prostate cancer but it’s a good starting point.
“If you have the test every year if the doctor sees any changes, then something is happening that’s worth a further investigation.
“It’s up to the individual to seek further medical advice.
“Since we started doing it in Bridgnorth, Lions clubs all over the country are now doing it.
“Ironbridge Lions and Newport Lions are now doing it too.”
Each test costs Bridgnorth Lions Club £15 – and there are also other costs on top.
Mr Parker added: “Last year, it cost us £13,000 to run.
“There are people in Bridgnorth who are receiving treatment for prostate cancer now. There are 24 members of the Bridgnorth Lions Club, and three were picked up with cancer from having the tests.
“The number attending have been going up and up and up every year.”
He added: “Last year, 750 guys came and queued all the way down the street, they had their test then had a pint.”
The next prostate testing event will be held on October 23 in Bridgnorth Castle Hall.
A prostate screening event in Madeley revealed 15 per cent of the men tested needed further investigation.
