(Image: Geoff Kitson)
A test screening day is being staged by an independent prostate cancer support group in a community centre on the outskirts of Durham, on Thursday (August 27).
Durham and District Prostate Group is running the free PSA screening event in the multi-purpose room, at Merryoaks Community Hall, in Park House Road, from 9am to 6pm.
The event is backed by funding from the City of Durham Parish Council, with the testing carried out by First Scan Health, of Chester-le-Street.
It is the latest testing session staged by the volunteers of the support group since the founding of the independent screening service for men aged 45-plus, in County Durham.
Members of Durham and District Prostate Cancer Group, which is staging its latest screening session at Merryoaks Community Hall, on Thursday (August 27)
(Image: Geoff Kitson)
Since the launch, more than two years ago, the group, thought to be the only pro-active support body of its kind in the region, has used a travelling road show at public events across the county, both outdoor and indoor, to promote awareness of the threat posed by the cancer.
The group’s four-dozen volunteers, many of them already screened, diagnosed and treated by the NHS, meet monthly at the Brawn’s Den pub, in Brandon.
They finally managed to take their campaign to a new level last year, thanks to a £5,000 gift from Durham City Freemen’s Charitable Trust, which has since been wound-up.
Initial efforts to begin the new service ran into administrative obstacles until the group was referred to the Cancer Screening Trust, in Cambridge, which helped to resolve the teething issues.
It led to the first offer of testing for those responding, which resulted in the first 30 being selected to provide screening blood samples taken by a locally based specialist nurse.
The day-long session at Brandon Community Centre was attended by last year’s Mayor of Durham, county councillor Gary Hutchinson.
Further screenings have been staged in the Brandon and Durham areas, with Thursday’s session at Merryoaks being the latest, with broader plans to extend the service to other parts of the county.
Les Cleckner, a retired member of the maintenance team at the University Hospital of North Durham, and a freeman of Durham, co-founded the group.
He has already undergone successful treatment by the NHS for an aggressive strain of the disease.
“Prostate cancer is a silent killer but, caught early, it can be successfully treated.
"I am living testament of that.
“Many GP practices are unable to offer screening to otherwise healthy men over 45 because of the costs involved.”
He added that the group was grateful to all those who have supported it, without whose donations the cost of the testing sessions could not have been met.