Hundreds of men have free prostate cancer testing in Burgess Hill

Two charities joined forces on Saturday in Burgess Hill to offer free prostate cancer testing.
Burgess Hill mayor Chris Cherry and Mid Sussex District Council chairman Bruce Forbes with members of Burgess Hill District Lions Club and Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO). Picture: Steve RobardsBurgess Hill mayor Chris Cherry and Mid Sussex District Council chairman Bruce Forbes with members of Burgess Hill District Lions Club and Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO). Picture: Steve Robards
Burgess Hill mayor Chris Cherry and Mid Sussex District Council chairman Bruce Forbes with members of Burgess Hill District Lions Club and Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO). Picture: Steve Robards

The Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO) in partnership with Burgess Hill District Lions Club took blood samples from 444 men, using trained phlebotomists.

Every man was counselled before they had the test, explaining what can cause an elevated reading along with risk factors, such as prostate cancer history in the family and the importance of having a regular check.

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The event was supported by Mid Sussex MP Sir Nicholas Soames, town mayor Chris Cherry and chairman of Mid Sussex District Council Bruce Forbes.

The cost of holding the event was funded by the Lions and donations from men on the day reached almost £2,000, which will help pay for the work both charities do.

It is hoped another test day will be held next year, the Lions said.

Roger Bacon, chairman of PCaSO, said: “The PSA test is the only first line simple test we have to determine the health of a man’s prostate, a high reading can trigger further tests that indicate cancer within the gland that may need treating, unfortunately there are those that seek to undermine the importance of getting tested.”