CCTAL hosts PSA testing morning
At the beginning of October, we were pleased to welcome 70 men to Llanarthne Village Hall for a PSA testing morning, organised in partnership with Prostate Cymru. The event was open to both our members and the wider community.
The morning was made possible with generous support from TRJ Ltd and Alpha Safety Training. TRJ Ltd covered the cost of the complimentary breakfast rolls for everyone attending, while Alpha Safety kindly contributed £5 towards every PSA test carried out, providing a total of £350 in sponsorship
We’re incredibly grateful to both businesses for getting behind the event and helping us make it an accessible and welcoming morning for the local community.
We’re delighted that 70 men came along to be tested, with the results showing:
- 64 green results: PSA levels were within the expected range, with no immediate follow-up recommended based on the test result.
- 1 amber result: A result that may require further monitoring or a discussion with a GP.
- 5 red results: Raised PSA levels that warrant further medical assessment to investigate the possible cause.
With six men receiving results that may need further attention, the morning showed just how important it is to make opportunities like this available locally.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, with more than 68,000 men diagnosed every year. In fact, around one in eight men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Despite how common it is, prostate cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in its early stages, meaning men may be unaware that anything is wrong.
A PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a simple blood test that measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland, in the blood. Higher levels can sometimes be a sign of prostate cancer, although they can also be caused by other conditions. While the test cannot diagnose prostate cancer on its own, it can help identify when further medical checks may be needed.
We know that finding the time to prioritise your health isn’t always easy, and that conversations about prostate cancer can feel uncomfortable. That’s why we wanted to bring this opportunity into the heart of the community, making it easier for men to come along, have a test and find out more.
Lynette Anthony, our Training Manager, said:
“It was lovely to see so many men come along to our PSA testing morning, especially those from the wider community as well as our own members. We know how easy it is for health to take a back seat when life gets busy, so making testing more accessible and giving men the opportunity to take some time to look after themselves is important to us.
“We’re really grateful to Prostate Cymru, TRJ Ltd and Alpha Safety for helping us make the event happen. Hopefully, it’s encouraged more men to take that first step towards looking after their prostate health.”
At CCTAL, much of our work focuses on helping people develop their skills and supporting businesses across the industry. But looking after the people behind those businesses is just as important.
Men make up a significant proportion of the construction workforce, and we want to do our part in encouraging more open conversations about health and wellbeing, both within our membership and beyond.
Seeing 70 men attend our testing morning was a really positive reminder of what can happen when local businesses and organisations come together to support their community.
A big thank you to Prostate Cymru for working with us to bring this important service to Llanarthne, and of course, to everyone who took the time to come along.
We hope the morning has encouraged more men to think about their prostate health and feel comfortable seeking medical advice when needed.
