Free Blood tests
Men taking part in the 2008 Run for the Future will be offered free blood tests see if they are at risk from prostate cancer!
The annual event, which takes place on the Downs in Bristol at midday on Sunday, 7 September, is again being organised by Bristol Rotary to raise awareness of the disease as well as funds for the BUI Bristol prostate Cancer Appeal.
The first two events raised more than £100,000 and the money is now being used to fund vital research into the early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, which affects more than 30,000 men in the UK every year.
More than 10,000 die from the illness, but a simple PSA blood test could save their lives. A GP will be offering tests to runners at this year’s event who want to be checked for prostate cancer.
David Gillatt, Director of the BUI, which is based at Southmead Hospital, says men should start considering having a PSA blood in their mid-40’s.
“Men in their 50’s have a one in 11 chance of getting prostate cancer and those odds shorten considerably if they come from an Afro Caribbean background. There is also a concern that men seem to be getting it younger, but early detection greatly increases the likelihood of successful treatment,” he said.
John Miles, Chairman of the BUI Bristol Prostate Cancer Appeal, discovered he had prostate cancer eight years ago after reading a newspaper article. “I owe my life to the fact I read about the disease and went to my GP for a PSA blood test. I would probably not be here today if I hadn’t had the test, which is why I’m so keen to do anything I can to raise people’s awareness,” he said.
Ian Beattie, the 2008 Run co-ordinator, says the event is designed to give hope to families. “The problem is there is no national screening programme and men are, in general, largely ignorant of the disease. We hope Run for the Future will get families talking about it and the women and children will persuade the men in their lives to take their health seriously and ask for a PSA blood test.”
For further information, or to take part in the event, visit the website at www.runforthefuture.org or phone the Run for the Future office on 0117 9596328 for a Registration form.
