Prostate cancer 1000th test for Northampton Prostate Cancer Support Group

Due to the demand, the number of tests carried out was raised from 150 to 250. These tests are subsidised by the Northampton Prostrate Cancer Support Group (NPCSG). During the afternoon we carried out our 1000th test, which has been organised and subsidised by the group.

Last year, following the results of the event, 13 men were found to have a high PSA reading within their age range and six men with levels which were borderline, meaning 19 men who wouldn’t routinely be checked for prostate cancer have been able to seek further investigation thanks to the Northampton Prostate Cancer Support Group event.

Many men with early prostate cancer will not notice any symptoms or any changes to their body, which is why the Northampton Prostate Cancer Support Group, from experience, understand the importance of getting tested.

The NPCSG holds monthly meetings to support patients and their families going through the various treatments available and aims to meet with other prostate cancer patients, to share their experiences. It is important to offer support and understanding for patients and their partners/carers/families. At these meetings guest speakers are invited on a variety of topics of interest to the group both medical and social. NPCSG helps to spend time listening and being listened to outside the hospital environment.

The group also seeks to promote the awareness of prostate cancer and encouraging men to get tested. It is important that Prostate Cancer is caught early as there is a good recovery rate if this is the case. One in eight men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives, this increases to one in four in the black community.

We are especially encouraging men from the black community to get tested. To this end we hold the Testing Sessions and attend local events to raise awareness in the community, such as Hollowell Steam Rally, Harpole Scarecrow Festival and the Diwali celebrations on the Market Square.

The Group meets on the seccond Wednesday of every month at Fernie Fields Sports and Social Club, Fernie Field, Moulton Way, Northampton NN3 7BD.

Doors open at 7pm. Start of business or speaker at 7.3Opm.

We particularly encourage wives, partners, and family members to join us. The group is supported by a Prostate Clinical Nurse Specialist based at Northampton General Hospital.

Membership is free although we do ask for a contribution of £2 per person at each meeting to help cover costs.

To contact the group please email [email protected]

Tel: 07396 174906