Freemasons from the Portsmouth area held a successful prostate testing day in conjunction with the charity Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO). Almost 300 men were tested at the Masonic Centre in Cosham, Portsmouth, and they received their results in a matter of days.
Ian Gore, the Master of King Edward Vll Lodge No. 3816, its Charity Steward Terry Moore, Lodge members and the Freemasonry in the Community team drove this important initiative. The tests were free and open for anyone who made an appointment through the charity’s website. PCaSO also provided 25 volunteers, who enabled the early testing to be quick and efficient.
Ian Gore said:
‘Prostate cancer affects one in eight men over the age of 50, and this increases to one in five for men of African-Caribbean heritage. Diagnosed early, recovery rates are high, but all too often the condition is not identified until the cancer is well developed, which results in more than 12,000 deaths a year in this country. The opportunity to have this quick and simple blood test, known as a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, gives an indication of the health of the prostate.’
Cllr Tom Coles, the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, added:
‘It's important for men to be aware of and take care of their health. This scheme is a great way of facilitating checks on prostate health with a less invasive procedure than commonly believed.’
