The lives of a number of Canterbury men could have been saved thanks to a health project run by the Rotary Club of Canterbury. The Club, with the generous support of Boots The Chemist in Canterbury’s Whitefriars, joined forces with the Prostate Cancer Support Association, Kent, to run a Prostate Cancer Awareness Day for men over the age of fifty.
From Left: Dr David Barton; Robert Yonge (President, Rotary Club of Canterbury);
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Pat Todd; Gerry Costa (founder member,
Prostate Cancer Support, Kent); Dr John Bobba;
Nick Jones (Manager, Boots The Chemist, Canterbury)
Four Hundred and fifty men took away information about the disease and how to get it checked-out whilst two doctor members of the Rotary Club of Canterbury, who were on hand throughout the day, provided detailed counselling for those who were particularly concerned about their situation.
Rotarian Dr David Barton, one of the doctors on duty, said: “Prostate problems amongst men over 50 are very common, yet so many are either unaware of the dangers or are embarrassed at seeking advice.”
The Prostate Awareness Cancer Day was the brainchild of the President of the Rotary Club of Canterbury, Robert Yonge and figures show that one in fourteen men in the Canterbury area between the ages of 50 and 85 are likely to contract the disease . Robert Yonge said: “My father died of Prostate Cancer because it was diagnosed too late. A simple test taken in his fifties could have provided an alert and prolonged his life considerably.” He added: “Men shouldn’t be embarrassed about seeking help and our Prostate Awareness day on Saturday in Boots is designed to both provide information and give men confidence in getting their prostates checked.”
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Councillor Pat Todd, visited the stand in Boots to lend his support to the Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. He said: “This is a very worthwhile exercise by the Rotary Club of Canterbury and I commend them for it.” He added: “It’s so simple for men to get things checked-out and I urge them to contact their doctor for a test.”
It’s hoped to run a similar awareness day in the spring of next year.
