Prostate test could 'save lives and embarrassment'

A prostate cancer blood test could save "lives and embarrassment" if it was made more widely available, a charity has claimed.

Prostate Cymru aim to test thousands of men in Wales for signs of the disease, but the charity said many face difficulties in getting a free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test from their GP, with some refused.

The charity said the demand from men aged above 50 has increased with more awareness.

A Welsh government spokesperson said the particular test is not always the right intervention for men without symptoms of prostate cancer.

Former S4C weather presenter Chris Jones, 59, who is an ambassador for the charity, was diagnosed with early stages prostate cancer himself after cells were detected in 2018.

"It's so, so important to go for a PSA test early," said Chris, who now gets tested every year.

"[This campaign] takes the test to the man, rather than the man having to go to the doctor and being embarrassed.

"It could basically save lives, it's as simple as that."

A pilot was held in April last year and the charity said 200 men were tested, with 18 requiring further investigation.

Among them was Martin Lewis, an area manager for Swansea Building Society, who said the test turned out to be "one of the most important decisions" in his life.

"Like many men, I had no symptoms and wouldn't have thought to get tested," Mr Lewis said.

He is now undergoing treatment and is urging other men to get tested.

The blood test measures the level of PSA protein, produced by the prostate gland, and may help detect early prostate cancer.

If a raised PSA level is detected, men may be offered an MRI scan of the prostate to help decide further if tests or treatment is needed.

But NHS Wales said results can be unreliable, so men are not routinely offered it.

Welsh government said there is national guidance to support GPs to have discussions with asymptomatic men who are concerned about their risk.

In Bridgend on Sunday, at the first event of the charity's testing tour, nurse Amy Griffiths said the process is "literally a two second job".

"We take one sample of blood, it's sent off to the lab, and the results come back in the next few days," she said.

Retired consultant urologist and Prostate Cymru chairman, Andy Thomas, said the demand is high.

"It's the first part of the process in being diagnosed, or excluded, of having prostate cancer," he said.

"We used to test men with our fingers, and that's really put off men from being tested, so the PSA test has been deemed more important."

The charity's Tina Tew said the process of getting a test from a GP isn't always easy.

"We constantly hear of men who have had difficulties in obtaining a GP appointment, and in some cases being refused a test," she said.

"The evidence tells us that if we could make it easier for men to get tested, more men would welcome a test."

More than 3,000 tests will be made available, costing over £100,000, the charity said.

It has seven remaining testing dates in its tour, stopping in Cowbridge, Brecon, Swansea, Cardiff, Llanelli, Narbeth and Aberystwyth, and is exploring options in north Wales.

The Welsh Government said: "A PSA test is not always the right intervention for men without symptoms of prostate cancer.

"Men who do not have any symptoms but are concerned about their risk should seek advice from their GP before undertaking a PSA test."