The Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group (IWPCSG) has reached a major milestone after conducting its 10,000th Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test during a public screening event in Newport on Saturday (1st November).
The volunteer-run charity, which offers support and testing to men across the Isle of Wight, currently tests around 2,000 men each year.
Of those, approximately 10% require further checks from the NHS due to irregular results – meaning hundreds of lives are potentially being saved year-on-year.
The group emphasises the importance of early detection, noting that prostate cancer claims the life of a man every 40 minutes in the UK – more than any other cancer.
One of the men attending the testing event at the Scout Hall in Newport on Saturday shared a personal reason for being there, saying:
“I’ve lost a number of people that I know very well. Old men, young men – it affects us all.
“It’s vitally important you come to these sessions and have a painless test done.”
The IWPCSG was originally founded by a group of Isle of Wight patients travelling together to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth for treatment. From mutual support and shared experience, the group grew into an established support network, now offering:
- Regular PSA testing sessions
- Monthly support meetings with guest speakers
- A Facebook page and website library of information
- A monthly newsletter
- Support stands at local events
More than 300 men on the Isle of Wight are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – one of the highest rates in the UK. The group aims to guide men and their families through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery by offering community-led emotional support.
Great work they are doing