Press Release: Prostate Cancer Event - 11th Feb 2014
The Prostate Cancer Awareness Evening returns to Reading at Circle Hospital on February 11th following diagnosis of 45 men in 2013. Following the Reading Lions event, 20 of these men are receiving treatment
At the first Prostate Cancer Awareness Evening at the Royal
Berkshire Hospital last year, 500 men over 50 were tested; a blood sample was
taken by trained phlebotomists and sent to a hospital laboratory for analysis
to determine PSA levels. John Mack, organiser of the event and Reading Lions volunteer
said, "We urge all men over 50 to be tested; it's simple and early diagnosis
and treatment may vastly improve the chances of survival. The PSA (Prostate
Specific Antigen) test is the 1st step. Last year, many were
prompted to attend by their families and we hope to take even more tests this
year following the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of 20 men. Don't ignore
the facts: A man dies every hour of Prostate Cancer in the UK and 40,000 new
cases are diagnosed each year with 13,500 deaths".
Treatment
has already been a success for David Hall. Having seen his GP in 2012, he was
advised that the symptoms he was displaying were normal for his age and no
further action was taken. He was urged to attend the Reading Lions evening by
his daughter who was involved in organising the event. Andrea Hall explained,
"The GP's advice received by my dad concerned me so it was a great opportunity
to be tested and hear advice from a consultant urologist. However, the last
thing our family expected was for dad's PSA level to be high and for Prostate
Cancer to be diagnosed. He has since had treatment including radiotherapy and
is monitored closely with regular PSA tests. I am incredibly grateful that he
attended the Prostate Cancer evening as his cancer was aggressive".
As a supporter of Reading Lions, Reading107fm is keen to ensure that men over 50 are
made aware of the evening. Sue Reynolds, Managing Director of Reading 107fm
said, "The team will ensure that details of the event are announced by our
presenters leading up to February 11th. We hope our listeners will encourage their
relatives to attend. Interviews relating to last year's event will be on air
and information will be published on the Reading107fm website. Prostate Cancer
Awareness is an important issue which we are keen to support".
Event Details:
The free Prostate Cancer Check is being held on Tuesday, 11th February (5.30pm - 9.30pm) at Circle Hospital, Reading. The test takes approximately 3 minutes (attendees need to allow 30
minutes for the test and registration).
Mr David Baxter-Smith (consultant urologist) has been involved in the organisation of
many free prostate screening events.
A consent form must be completed (in advance, if possible to enable moretests to be administered on the evening).
A blood sample will be taken by trained phlebotomists and sent to a hospital laboratory for analysis to determine PSA level
The results will be sent directly to Mr Baxter-Smith for review. He will contact every person tested by letter to give advice on future action
Donations welcome: In 2013, each test cost £20 and the cost of the evening was £8,000, funded by local companies, donations from event
attendees and the Reading Lions Charity Fund.
Reading 107fm is Reading's
only local independent commercial radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day
from the Madejski Stadium. Reading 107fm is wholly owned by Sir John Madejski,
Chairman of Reading FC.
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