Prostate cancer screening, police and charity partnership celebrated in Mold

A partnership to promote prostate cancer screening between North Wales Police and the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust (GFCT) was celebrated at Mold Police Station recently.

This initiative emphasizes the importance of protecting men’s health and well-being in the workplace and highlights the critical need for early detection of prostate problems, an issue that is gaining momentum following the King’s recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Since 2019, the GFCT has been working with North Wales Police to provide PSA screening tests to officers and staff with over 40 years of experience in policing.

The PSA test, a simple blood test, can detect early signs of prostate cancer by measuring the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, which varies with age and the health of the prostate.

This innovative partnership has been replicated by other police forces across the UK and is seen as a model for introducing workplace health screenings.

During a recent visit to Mold Police Station, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin and GFCT Administrator Susan Hart observed a screening session.

They were shown how the procedure is carried out and how counseling and support is provided to male participants.

To commemorate the occasion, Susan received a certificate jointly signed by the PCC and North Wales Police, Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman.

Maria Hughes, former head of medical and welfare services at North Wales Police, led the introduction of this life-saving scheme.

Reflecting on its success, Maria said: “North Wales Police have been extremely keen to proactively support the workforce. Working with the charity has saved 12 lives in North Wales Police through staff who showed no symptoms. The PSA test is an indicator, not a diagnostic tool, but it allows for more extensive conversations with a staff member’s GP.”

PCC Andy Dunbobbin noted the importance of the initiative, saying: “It is important that all organizations value the health and wellbeing of their staff and the police are no different. Ensuring officers and staff are in good health and spirits means they can serve the region more effectively and spot any problems early. I am delighted that our highly valued partnership with the GFCT is being emulated elsewhere in the country, showing how our pioneering work in North Wales is leading the way for policing across the UK.”

The Graham Fulford Charitable Trust was established to raise awareness of prostate cancer following the diagnosis of close friends and family members of the founders, Graham and Sue Fulford. Since 2004, the Trust, working with various partners, has screened more than 138,557 men and carried out 283,114 tests, identifying more than 3,027 types of cancer that would otherwise have gone undetected.

For more information about the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust and PSA screening, visit www.psatests.org.uk.

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