Prostate Cymru is bringing its vital PSA testing service to Brecon Rugby Club on Sunday, April 6, as part of an ambitious nationwide campaign to make prostate cancer testing more accessible for men.

The charity has identified a significant issue: despite the fact that prostate cancer often presents with no symptoms, many men are finding it difficult to access a free PSA test from their GP.

Tina Tew, from Prostate Cymru, explains: “All men over 50 are entitled to a free PSA test from their GP. That drops to 45 if there is a family history. However, we constantly hear of men who have had difficulties in obtaining a GP appointment, and in some cases being refused a test.”

The charity aims to address this gap by offering PSA tests at eight events across Wales, including Brecon, with plans for additional events in North Wales. The Brecon testing event is one of the key dates on the tour, which also includes stops in Kenfig Hill, Bridgend, Cowbridge, Swansea, Cardiff, Llanelli, Narberth, and Aberystwyth.

The cost of the campaign is significant, with over £100,000 required to provide more than 3,000 tests. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors such as Swansea Building Society, The Dunraven Group, and Radnor Hills, Prostate Cymru is making this essential service available to men across the country.

Each individual will be asked to contribute a £10 donation to help cover the costs of the event.

The PSA testing event in Brecon will be run in partnership with the Graham Fulford Charity Trust, who will handle all medical data. On the day, a specialist nurse and consultant will be available to provide further information about the test and explain the next steps in the event of a positive result.

To register your interest in booking a PSA test at the Brecon event, men can visit the Prostate Cymru website and enter the event code BRECON25 at this link: https://form.configurcodex.com/form/679b97e2c0964c13ea67cd24

Ms Tew added: “The evidence tells us that if we could make it easier for men to get tested, more men would welcome a test.”

This year’s tour follows a pilot which took place in April last year in collaboration with Swansea City Football Club. 200 men were tested and 18 required further investigation.

Among them was Martin Lewis, Swansea Building Society’s Area Manager for England.

Martin said: “Going for the test turned out to be one of the most important decisions of my life, though I didn’t know it at the time. Like many men, I had no symptoms and wouldn’t have thought to get tested.”

Martin is now undergoing treatment and is urging other men to get tested.

The prostate is a small, walnut-size gland under the bladder and behind the penis. It produces a thick fluid that mixes with sperm to make semen.

A PSA test checks the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. High levels may be a sign of a prostate condition.