“Early detection saves lives”: Rugby legend Sir Ian McGeechan endorses men’s health charity which campaigns for prostate cancer screening 

Rugby legend Sir Ian McGeechan has thrown his support behind a men’s health charity which is dedicated to prostate cancer awareness.

 

Speaking at a fundraising event, Sir Ian McGeechan said he “fully supports” the work of CHAPS, a charity founded by retired consultant urologist Prof Chris Booth which offers PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood tests for prostate cancer screening.

 

The former British Lions coach, who also played for Scotland 32 times over seven years, captaining them nine times, praised the work of the charity which also campaigns for a nationwide screening programme for prostate cancer.

 

Sir Ian has battled prostate cancer himself but revealed in October last year that the cancer was “all gone and under control”.

 

Backing the work of CHAPS, he said: “Having experienced prostate cancer myself, I know just how important it is to identify the disease early,” he said.

 

“I was fortunate that my cancer was detected, treated and is now under control, but not every man will be so lucky.

 

“Screening gives men the opportunity to have their blood test results assessed by a medical professional, understand their individual risk and take the right next steps.

 

“It can make the difference between finding cancer early, when treatment can be more effective, and discovering it much later, when options may be more limited.

 

“That is why I fully support the work of CHAPS in raising awareness and making prostate cancer testing more accessible.

 

“Men need to be informed, encouraged to get checked and given the opportunity to act early, particularly if they have a family history or are at increased risk.”

 

Sir Ian was speaking at a event organised by Connectus Business Solution and Glu Digital to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. The event, held at Hotel Wrexham, raised thousands for the charity.

 

Prof Chris Booth welcomed the support of the sporting hero, saying he hoped it would “encourage men to find out more about the risks and symptoms of prostate cancer.”

 

“CHAPS will continue to campaign for a nationwide screening programme for prostate cancer and to provide information on men’s health issues to everyone who wants it,” he said.

 

“Having the support of men like Sir Ian helps us to reach a new audience and to demonstrate that we mustn’t be shy in talking about our health. It’s not doing so which costs lives.”

 

More than 56,000 men in England and 5,000 men in Scotland are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and 11000 men, 10,000 in England and 1,000 in Scotland, die from the disease every year.

 

“The principal cause of the UK’s unacceptably high mortality rate for prostate cancer compared to our western neighbours is a lack of a coherent and effective nationwide screening programme which leads to higher rates of late diagnosis,” Prof Booth added.

 

“Instead of a screening programme we have a system of routine appointments based on symptoms masquerading as a screening programme.

 

“As Sir Ian notes, early detection saves lives. I hope men and their families will listen to this sporting legend and ensure they know the signs and get a PSA test if they are concerned.”

 

About CHAPS

 

Founded in 2000, by Professor Chris Booth, a retired Urological Surgeon, CHAPS is a registered charity dedicated to advocacy for men’s health in general and prostate cancer in particular to ensure men have the knowledge and resources needed to live longer and healthier lives. Focusing on prostate cancer, our mission is to raise awareness of the challenge it presents and ensure access to information and screening until a UK national prostate cancer screening programme is established.

 

We work to increase understanding of men’s health issues, providing crucial information to help men make informed choices about their well-being. Prostate Cancer Screening: We run prostate cancer screening events throughout the UK, advocating earlier detection and better support for those affected. Health Screenings: We organise health screening events across Essex, Suffolk, and the UK, offering essential checks for a variety of conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease by working jointly with NHS Health Check teams. Campaign for Change and Research: We actively campaign for the introduction of a national prostate cancer screening programme to improve early diagnosis and survival rates