What the Prostate Project say about this campaign
Our research has found that many men of working age feel it unnecessary to take time off work to visit a GP for a test for something for which they have no symptoms, and, even worse, many are not aware of the symptoms of Prostate Cancer.
The Free PSA testing programme is based on a successful programme carried out by a support group who operate in Sussex / Hampshire / Dorset. They have carried out many thousands of these tests and have identified about 10% of those tested to be men who needed further investigation and up to half of these are subsequently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer – a frightening statistic ! 77% of men tested had never had a PSA test before, and 72% were not aware that they are entitled to a test through their GP.
The test itself is merely a simple pin prick, undertaken in a local village or church hall (or similar location). The intention is to hold these sessions on various Saturdays, and they will be staffed by trained operators and counsellors. The tests will be done in private, and a small drop of blood from the pin prick is placed on a test slide, which is inserted into a test machine, and the result is displayed in 10 minutes. The tests will be provided FREE OF CHARGE to men in the 45 - 80 age group (although a donation would be gratefully received).
On arrival the men are given a briefing document explaining the pros and cons of the PSA test. They are asked to sign a consent form before having the test. 10-15 minutes later the results and advice are available from a trained counsellor, together with a letter showing their PSA rating -‘Green’ (low PSA score), ‘Amber’ (borderline, slightly raised PSA), or ‘Red’ (attention needed and a GP appointment recommended). Every man attending the events is given an awareness leaflet (green results) or a comprehensive information booklet (amber/red results). They are also given a PSA results card that they can keep to list future test results and are recommended to have a yearly test done. 99% of men tested felt the test should be readily available to any man requesting it, and 100% felt the information given to them on the day was helpful.
We believe this programme could save many lives, and we have partnered with Guildford Lions Club to help raise the necessary funds to run this campaign for 2 years. We estimate this will cost £10,000 - a small price to potentially save the lives of men in the prime of life, often with dependent families.