VOLUNTEERS operating a prostate cancer support group have launched its own independent screening service for men in County Durham over the age of 45.
Launched over two years ago the group, the only pro-active group of its kind in the region, has until now used a travelling road show at both outdoor and indoor public events across the county to promote awareness of the threat posed by the cancer.
The group’s four-dozen volunteers, some already screened, diagnosed and treated by NHS patients, meet regularly at the Brawn’s Den public house in Brandon. But this month they finally managed to take their campaign to a new level – thanks to a £5,000 gift from Durham City’s Freemen’s Charitable Trust.
Initial attempts to begin the new service ran into administrative obstacles until the manager of the Brandon Community Centre, Tom Sharples, who is also a member of Durham Rotary, learned of their struggle. His intervention steered them towards the Cancer Screening Trust in Cambridge, resulting in a successful three-way zoom meeting which resolved the problems.
Messages of the offer of tests was subsequently circulated on the group’s Facebook page, as well as a general message on the same service. Hopefuls who responded with their name, age and telephone numbers were invited to complete a questionnaire which resulted in the first 30 being selected to provide screening blood samples taken by a County Durham-based specialist nurse. The day-long session at the community centre was attended by the Mayor of Durham, County Councillor Gary Hutchinson.
Another three dozen men from the Brandon and Durham area are now scheduled undergo the same procedure before the end of this month (March).
The group made application for charitable status before the turn of the year and, should they win that endorsement, are confident they can raise more money to extend the service to other parts of the county.
Les Cleckner, a retired member of the maintenance team at the University Hospital of North Durham, is a co-founder of the group and a freeman of Durham who has already been successfully treated by the NHS for an aggressive strain of the disease.
“Prostate cancer is a silent killer but caught early it can be successfully treated, I am living testament of that. Many GP practices are unable to offer screening to otherwise healthy men over 45 because of the costs involved.
“We are particularly grateful to the freemen – without their donation we could not meet the cost of the tests. And we were lucky too to get Tom’s help to cut through the red tape. If we save one life it will all have been worth it.”
The volunteers plan to continue taking their roadshow to a number of public events during the spring and summer and their schedule already includes trips to Stanhope, Durham City and Ushaw College.