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Local men 'refused' prostate cancer tests by GP surgeries, charity screening reveals

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Seven GP surgeries around Ipswich were cited as having previously refused prostate cancer tests, according to men attending a recent screening event.

Why it matters: A prostate screening event led by Cancer Support Suffolk tested 122 men for prostate cancer, with 11 returning abnormal PSA results, highlighting the importance of early detection.

The bigger picture: Prostate cancer is now the most common male cancer in the UK, causing 57,000 new cases and 13,000 deaths each year, according to the CHAPS charity, which supported the event.

Mark Murphy
Mark MurphyCancer Support Suffolk

What they're saying: "To see so many men turning up to our World Cancer Day event for a PSA test was a fantastic outcome for us, because anything we can do to make men more aware of their health status is a great thing," said Mark Murphy, CEO of Cancer Support Suffolk.

"Our collaboration with CHAPS has proven that there is a clear need for greater availability of testing, and certainly, with the results we have seen and the things we have heard from attendees about their personal experiences at GP surgeries, there are clearly more conversations to be had."

By the numbers:

  • 122 men were tested at the Ipswich event

  • 11 men returned abnormal PSA results

  • 1 in 4 men with an abnormal PSA will have prostate cancer

  • Prostate cancer causes 13,000 deaths annually in the UK

The details: Despite being the most common male cancer, there is currently no national NHS screening programme for prostate cancer.

Chris Booth, Clinical Director at CHAPS, said: "Prostate Cancer usually grows slowly and causes no symptoms till it has spread. That is why screening needs to be done before symptoms arise."

"As 1 in 4 men with an abnormal PSA will have Prostate Cancer, this event could potentially have saved three or four lives through early detection of this silent killer."

For context: The event was held at Ipswich's Venue 16 during February, coinciding with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

The East Suffolk Prostate Cancer Support Group also participated, providing support and advice to attendees.

What's next: Cancer Support Suffolk plans to hold more similar events in the future.

"It's clear to all of us at the charity that events like ours are essential, so we'll certainly be returning with this event and other awareness activities like this, to ensure the message stays out there and that men get greater access to life-saving screening," Murphy said.

The bottom line: Early detection of prostate cancer significantly improves survival rates and outcomes, making screening initiatives crucial, especially when some men report difficulties accessing tests through conventional healthcare channels.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

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