Hundreds turn out for Telford prostate testing

For the last two years, the Ironbridge Lions and Ironbridge Rotary clubs have joined forces to offer men in the at risk catergories a free prostate cancer screening test.

And on Sunday, hundreds lined outside the Abraham Darby Academy in Telford to get their blood tested.

Organisers said the evening had been a huge success.

John Marsh, of the Ironbridge Lions, said: "Despite being on the same night as England’s International football match nearly 600 men turned up to have a free prostate cancer screening test.

"A small sample of blood taken from each man by one of the team of professional phlebotomists and couriered to a laboratory in Manchester where the samples are measured for the amount of PSA in the blood.

"In about two weeks all the men tested will be sent their results personally by post or email."

When the results arrive, they will be graded in three different colours.

Green means that the results are within normal range but should be checked again within 12 months, while amber is slightly above the norm and a GP appointment should be made.

Red levels is far above the norm and should be investigated urgently.

The event is organised and funded by a partnership of the Ironbridge Lions and Rotary Clubs with support from the National Lottery.

Councillor Nicola Lowery, ward member for the Ironbridge Gorge, said: "I attended this event with my dad and to support the Lions and Rotary Clubs.

"I can’t tell you how inspiring it was to support this team, hear from survivors of prostate cancer and to see how this test saved their life and to see so many people from within our community attend to get themselves checked.

“I’m sure we all sadly know someone that had been affected by prostate cancer which is why it’s vital we work together to confront it.

“Sincere thanks go to the Ironbridge Lions, Rotary Club, senior nurse Julie Rich and David Baxter-Smith for all their work as without such an event would not be possible and this event is one that truly saves lives”.

Prostate cancer has now overtaken breast cancer as the number one cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Furthermore the UK has a higher death rate from prostate cancer that the rest of Europe.

Prostate cancer affects around 45,000 men in the UK every year. Of those almost one third will die from the disease. In Shropshire alone, around 250 men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer.