A SPECIAL free testing event could catch the biggest cancer killer of men in time to treat it.

Prostate cancer often stays undiagnosed until it is too late, as there may be no symptoms in the early stages.

But a charity which regularly tests hundreds of men at its screening events is offering men the chance to get checked out on Tuesday evening, May 28, at Dene Magna School in Mitcheldean.

The Cheltenham and Severn Dean branch of Lions International are teaming up again with the Cotswolds Prostate Cancer Support Group (CPCSG) charity to make more people aware of prostate cancer.

At their last event, more than 430 men were tested, with more than 40 cases picked up as needing further investigation for prostate cancer, some of which led to prompt and possibly life-saving treatment.

CPCSG chairman John Copsey says: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and accounts for around 11,000 deaths in the UK every year – now more than the number of women who die from breast cancer.

“One in eight men will get it, but the risks are even higher for men of African or Caribbean background, or men with a close family history of prostate cancer, such as a father or brother.

“Early detection is vital, as in its early stages, prostate cancer may have no symptoms whatsoever. So a quick blood test can be really worth having.

“Men over 50 can also ask their doctor for a test, and while the PSA blood test isn’t a diagnosis, it’s a useful tool to tell whether further investigation for prostate cancer is worthwhile.

“We’ll have experienced professionals to carry out the blood tests, and prompt confidential results will be sent out within a week or two.”

The free test is between 6pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday, May 28.

The Cotswolds Support Group is volunteer-led by men who’ve all had prostate cancer, assisted by their partners, and works closely with the county’s NHS urology team.