JOHN Truslove and Handelsbanken’s backing for prostate cancer testing in Redditch may have helped save the lives of up to five people.
The property agents, together with Handelsbanken, supported the prostate cancer testing session held at the Abbey Hotel in the town in November.
Open to men aged over 45, it was under the auspices of Worcestershire Prostate Awareness Group, a small charity run by volunteers with the help of sponsorship from local businesses and companies.
It produced a huge response.
A total of 150 people took advantage of the opportunity with another 150 on a reserve list.
Run by consultant urologist David Baxter-Smith, results are categorised as green, amber or red, according to vulnerability – there is no perfect clinical test yet available to diagnose prostate cancer but a simple blood test can act as an indicator.
The session produced 133 greens, 12 ambers and five reds.
Mr Baxter-Smith said: “This was very slightly higher than the national average of ten per cent abnormals.”
And he told John Truslove and Handelsbanken: “I suspect that as a result of your hard work you have helped prevent at least five men from dying from prostate cancer. It all seems very worthwhile.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect men in this country, with 41,000 new cases diagnosed every year and ten thousand deaths.
It is hoped that a second session can be put on early in the New Year to meet the needs of those on the waiting list and others.
