The support of the Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group (IWPCSG) probably saved Graeme Smith’s life.
Graeme was tested at 1 of the group’s sessions in October 2021 and received a letter telling him his Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level was high and advising him to go to the doctor. As advised, he did go to his GP and a further test put him on the borderline of further investigation.
Graeme went back to the IWPCSG who suggested a second opinion, which revealed that Graeme did indeed have prostate cancer.
Graeme said:
“I had my prostate removed on the 23rd of March 2023. Just in time as when I was operated on the cancer was just beginning to come out of the prostate. The IWPCSG saved my life!”
Graeme is 1 of hundreds of men tested through the group’s sessions in the battle to detect Britain’s 2nd most common cancer. Last year, the group held 5 PSA test events at Ryde, Cowes, Newport, Totland and Freshwater. In all, 1,213 men were tested with 134 abnormal results recorded and 254 men deemed to be at high risk.
This year, 7 PSA tests are being held at Ryde, Cowes, Sandown, Totland, Ryde, Seaview and Newport.
A spokesperson for the group said:
“We are targeting 275 men at each of these venues with a running time of 09:00 to 14:15. Should we find as per previous tests that 11% of men present with abnormal PSA results then approximately 211 men’s lives could be saved and 404 men with high risk results given early warning of a possible problem.”
NHS phlebotomists attend the sessions to take the blood for the tests. The samples are then transferred to QA Hospital in Portsmouth for analysis.
Alan Taylor, chairman of the group, said:
“We wish to thank our partners in organising and running this event, including all our volunteers on the day, and especially Wightlink for supporting us with travel.”
A Wightlink spokesperson said:
“We are pleased to be help this group which does so much to tackle one of Britain’s most prevalent cancers.”
For details of how to book a test go to the group’s website – www.iwpcsg.org.
Unfortunately the result of the test can only be given to you on your smart phone. Presumably your life doesn’t matter if you don’t have one.
I think it can be emailed to you. It was an option when I booked online.
It was quicker to book a test with the support group than through my GP….
Mine was emailed
Men get tested for prostrate cancer ASAP its a life saver
After a simple blood test three years ago I was diagnosed as having prostate cancer, I went through a simple routine of preparing me to have radiotherapy at QA in Portsmouth. I traveled over on the Hover paid for by the NHS and journeyed from Southsea to QA and return on the’Daisy Bus” by the Wessex Cancer Trust who were absolutely brilliant throughout all of my treatment which was absolutely painless. Now three years later I wouldn’t even know that I had a problem at all. Just go and have a blood test, just a small procedure. If I hadn’t I may not be here to write this!!
I attended a session a few weeks ago, I am now booked in for a biopsy as my PSA was far too high.
I have been asking my GP for the last ten years for a test and am repeatedly told it is not worth having one. Please don’t listen to your GP and get a test done.