A DROP-IN coffee and chat morning raising awareness of prostate cancer is being held in Port Glasgow this weekend.
There will be the opportunity to talk with a trained Prostate Scotland Champion over a tea or coffee at the event at Lodge Doric Kilwinning, Brown Street, Port Glasgow between 10am and noon on Saturday (12 October).
There will also be information on what action is required especially for those who have concerns or fall into high-risk groups.
Over the last few years, Prostate Scotland has received a donation of more than £1.1 million from The Grand Lodge of Scotland with masons all over Scotland contributing.
The partnership continues and several members have undergone training to champion the cause and raise awareness.
Within the Renfrewshire area the three main governing bodies of masons have combined to deliver a joint approach in raising awareness of prostate conditions.
The campaign has a community-based approach and not only makes men and their families aware of the symptoms but also encourages all men over 50 to get a simple blood test to see whether symptoms are present.
Alison Wright, chief executive of Prostate Scotland, said “This community awareness approach is to be commended and hopefully encourage men to get checked. This is the first stage in saving a life. Get Checked.”
John Malcolm, co-ordinator of the joint initiative in Renfrewshire, said: “We need to encourage more men to get checked, make men over 50 aware they are entitled to a PSA check even if they don’t have symptoms and destroy some of the myths that surround this issue.”
Paul Docherty, local organiser for Inverclyde said: “The masons of Inverclyde have always been a community-minded organisation and this initiative opening up to all is a continuation of that community engagement and one which may just prove to be a lifesaver.”
