'I would not be here today' - health screening hailed a success
Chris Spall- prostate cancer survivor, Chris Booth- founder of CHAPS, Andrew Cox- co-ordinator, Emma Atkinson- the Fitology Studio owner, Sonya Shelcott- CHAPS Development Manager, Ted Friend- treasurer for East Suffolk Prostate Cancer Support group. - Credit: Charlotte Bond
The owner of a fitness studio has hosted a successful health screening for men, which she organised after her brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.
Emma Atkinson, the owner of the Fitology Studio, together with the Suffolk Prostate Cancer Support, organised a prostate cancer blood screening to raise awareness among men and collect money for the CHAPS, Prostate Cancer Charity.
Chris Booth, the founder of CHAPS and Emma Atkinson, the Fitology Studio owner - Credit: Charlotte Bond
Emma’s brother, Chris Spall, was only 47 years old when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the Ipswich Town FC event last year.
He said: “It’s now six months since my radical prostatectomy, and I am feeling quite well. If it was not for my mum encouraging me to go to the CHAPS event, I would not be here today, which is quite a sobering thought.
Darren Kirby, prostate screening by CHAPS Charity at the Fitology Studio in Ipswich - Credit: Charlotte Bond
“Because of my age, Addenbrooke's Hospital is now looking into my family history to see if there is any connection to genetics.”
Emma said: “The event went very smoothly. 150 men attended and received a talk about the test, cancer, symptoms as well as prognosis – great simple information.
“It’s all about getting information out there, people talking, raising awareness and ultimately saving lives.”
Paul Henderson, prostate screening by CHAPS Charity at the Fitology Studio in Ipswich - Credit: Charlotte Bond
Professor Chris Booth, CHAPS clinical leader and a retired consultant urologist from Dedham, also took part in the event, encouraging men to protect themselves against the “serial killer”.
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CHAPS Charity has been running the screening programme across Suffolk and Essex, as well as nationally, to raise awareness among men and gather life-saving data.
Mark Talman, prostate screening by CHAPS Charity at the Fitology Studio in Ipswich - Credit: Charlotte Bond
Every year in the UK, more than 12,000 men die from prostate cancer, while 50,000 new cases are diagnosed. Blood tests remain the simplest cancer screening method.
Chris said: “I would encourage any man over the age of 40 to come forward for a PSA test. It is simple and takes less than five minutes. CHAPS do a wonderful job and as a charity, they are so needed as there is not a national screening programme in place. Thank you, mum, and thank you CHAPS.”
The 12-hour fitness class marathon at the Fitology Studio - Credit: Emma Atkinson
Last weekend, the studio also celebrated its first birthday and organised a fundraising 12-hour fitness class marathon. The participants have collected more than £1,100 that will go to the CHAPS Charity.
The 12-hour fitness class marathon at the Fitology Studio - Credit: Emma Atkinson
Prostate screening by CHAPS Charity at the Fitology Studio in Ipswich - Credit: Charlotte Bond
