Warrington Wolves hosts mass prostate cancer testing

Warrington Wolves hosted a mass testing event at their stadium

Rugby club bosses have said they want to encourage men to look out for symptoms of prostate cancer after hosting a mass testing event.

About 250 men took a blood test at Warrington Wolves' stadium.

The club's health and wellbeing manager James Howes said 70% percent of their fans were male "so we thought it would be a great opportunity".

He said the club wanted to boost detection of the disease, which affects an average of 52,000 men annually.

Gary Chambers, director of rugby at Warrington Wolves, said men could have "this persona that we just get on with things and we don't bother about things and if we're ill, we just get on.

"But you've got to take care of yourself and when an initiative comes up like this, you've got to maximise it."

Phil Ormesher helped arrange the event after having been diagnosed

Some supporters said they found the event more convenient than trying to book a test at their local GP surgery.

One fan told BBC North West Tonight he was spurred to attend by a local men's group, adding: "Probably I would never have done it otherwise, off my own back."

Others said they wanted to get checked after seeing loved ones diagnosed with cancer.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

• an increased need to pee

• straining while you pee

• a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

• blood in urine or semen

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions - but it is important to have any changes checked by a doctor.

Prostate cancer symptoms and treatment: What to check for

Organisers from Stockport-based Prostate Cancer Support said they hoped the event would inspire more rugby clubs to host events. The charity said it was planning more mass testings at other venues.

Charity trustee Phil Ormesher, who was previously diagnosed with the condition, said: "If it wasn't for a few wise words [to take a PSA test] from a friend of mine who has since died from prostate cancer, I wouldn't be here talking to you today."

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, leading to the deaths of 12,000 men every year, according to recent government data.

It usually develops slowly so there may be no signs for many years, according to the NHS. Some cases can be cured if treated early.

However there is no screening programme as experts believe there is not yet a sufficiently reliable test to detect the condition.

The NHS says the PSA test [prostate-specific antigen] can find aggressive prostate cancer which needs treatment, but it can also find slow-growing cancer which may never cause symptoms or shorten life.

Men could lower their risk of prostate cancer by jogging, cycling or swimming, according to studies

In November, the government announced it was working with the charity Prostate Cancer UK on a major new screening trial, which would involve methods including MRI scans.

The chances of prostate cancer increase with age and obesity.

The condition is also more common among black men, and men whose father or brother were affected by prostate cancer are at a slightly increased risk.

There was a 36% rise in the number of men getting checked in 2018 after the late broadcaster Bill Turnbull and comedian Stephen Fry spoke about their diagnoses that year, according to the NHS.

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