Warwick Rotarians recently welcomed back Graham Fulford for an update on his campaign to combat prostate cancer. With over 47,000 new cases a year and 11,800 deaths, this is the 3rd largest cause of death in UK. The UK has one of the highest death rates in the world and recently the government pledged £75m to address this.
The Graham Fulford Trust was set up in 2004 to increase awareness and provide local PSA testing. There are often no symptoms in the early stages of this cancer which can be treated if caught in time. PSA testing produces falls of over 40% in the death rate, but only 10% of UK men seek screening. All men over 50 are entitled to this simple blood test which detects raised levels of PSA. Men of Black African and Caribbean heritage are particularly at risk. Many club members have taken advantage of the testing and have reason to be grateful.
Since starting the campaign over 89,000 PSA tests have been done by the Trust, resulting in over 1,300 cancers being detected. Treatment of prostate cancer has improved greatly in recent years, after a positive test the next stage is now a MRI scan rather than a biopsy. Then if a tumour is found treatment can be more accurately targeted.
The Trust is expanding to work with other groups across the country and taking testing out to football grounds. Graham is finding that high profile cases such as that of actor Stephen Fry have increased awareness and take up is tripling at some testing centres. The Trust hopes to share their findings with the Governments prostate cancer initiative.
Regular testing sessions are scheduled and the next one locally is on Thursday April 19th at the Nelson Club, Warwick, as well as other locations. If you are interested call for an appointment on 01926 882876, or look at their website, www.grahamfulford.org.uk.
Thanking Graham for his presentation Rotarian Roy Joyner urged everyone to have regular testing and congratulated Graham for all his work on this project.
President John Hibben presented Graham with a cheque to support the campaign. (See below)
