By Isle of Wight Observer
A record 449 men were tested at the final PSA event of the IW Prostate Cancer Support Group (IWPCSG) programme, at the Scout headquarters, in Newport, last Saturday.
Of those, 51 patients had abnormal results which need medical following up. They were among a total of 209 men who have received abnormal results following this year’s testing across the Island.
The IWPCSG has run five PSA blood tests – at Cowes, Sandown, Totland, Ryde, and Newport – throughout the year, and the total number of men tested was 2,015.
Organiser, Alan Taylor, said: “The majority of men with abnormal readings had no symptoms and told us how grateful they were the IWPCSG offers this community service, potentially saving hundreds of men’s lives.”
A total of 38 volunteers turned up on Friday evening and Saturday to organise the event. Refreshments were supplied by Nancy Allen, with seven phlebotomists, assisted by volunteers and help from Island Environmental Hygiene which supplied the sharps bins free of charge.
The event was subsidised by WightAid, which enabled the large number to be tested.
The 2027 booking site will open during the first week of January where appointments can be made for the first event, at Cowes, on April 10.