A PETERSFIELD group has joined forces with a cancer-fighting charity to hold a potentially lifesaving event in the town.

If you’re male and aged between 45 and 75, then the Petersfield Lions want you to attend their PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test event.

The organisation has teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO) to hold the free event in the Winton House Centre on March 2.

Both groups recommend that every man over 50 – or over 45 if there is a family history of prostate cancer – knows his PSA, as a higher reading could be an indication of prostate cancer.

The PSA test is not a procedure to diagnose prostate cancer, but a raised level can give an indication of a possible problem, such as enlargement or infection.

But it is the best method of identifying the increased risk of prostate cancer in men without symptoms, and can lead to an early indication of a cancer at a potentially curable stage.

The event is thought to be the first of its kind in Petersfield with the Lions offering 160 places, with the test taking 15 minutes.

“Last year we tested about 1,000 men in Hampshire and found that 32 had an increased PSA and would need further investigation,” said Peter Weir, PCaSO representative, who inspired the Lions to organise the event after giving a presentation to the group.

“We’ve never done anything like this before,” said Lions member Dr Simon Cole. “After we watched Peter’s presentation and video we discussed it and decided it’s something we want to highlight.”

“There is an absence of a anything like this in Petersfield for local men,” said fellow Lion Steve Walters, adding: “It’s also about providing a service for the community.”

There’s already been plenty of interest in the event since it was publicised on Facebook last week.

“We’ve had one woman who phoned up on behalf of her husband, while he was in the room, to make sure he was booked, and another called up from work to say he had been e-mailed the Facebook link by his wife,” said Lions member Trevor Copping.

District Councillor Jamie Matthews and Petersfield Town Council have donated sums of £980 and £500, respectively, to cover the costs of staging the event between 10am and 2pm. Places are free but donations are welcome. To book an appointment call 07565 058923.