NEXT month will see the start of a group's campaign for prostate cancer awareness.

Flint and District Lions Club have announced their 2023 Prostate Cancer Awareness campaign will begin on Sunday, October 1.

Before the pandemic, the club held annual clinics, each of which were attended by approximately 300 men. Over the years, it is believed that those blood test readings may have helped save up to 40 lives.

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The development of a home testing kit means that it is no longer necessary to hold clinics. Tests can be done by the individual in their home. The club understands that the roll-out of this scheme in 2021 and 2022 led to at least another 20 men from the region being referred to their doctors for urgent advice and treatment.

The campaign chairman, Peter McCracken said: "Those who wish to be tested can apply for a home testing kit. Unfortunately, the club has not been able to raise funds during the pandemic and is obliged to limit the monies it can expend on the scheme.

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"We will accept responsibility for the cost of the first 250 men to apply for a test. This will cost the club £7,000. Obviously, to have the benefit of a sponsored test, it will be a matter of first come, first served."

The club has advised that no application can be made before October 1. All applications must be made online at: https://flint.mypsatests.org.uk/

Whilst completing the application, reference may be seen to the actual cost (£26.99) but by applying the code FLINT100 on the web page, the applicant will get a free test.

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The offer is open to men aged between 45 and 80 who must live in the postcode areas CH5, CH6, CH7 or CH8.

Once an application has been lodged, a test kit will be forwarded to each applicant together with full instructions and details of the return address. A letter or email (depending on the individual's preference) will be sent with the result of the analysis together with full relevant advice.

Mr McCracken confirmed that each case is dealt with confidentially and that the club will receive no information about any test.

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He has made a request to applicants that they should not apply unless they intend to submit a sample for analysis. Last year many genuine applicants were unable to have a free test because others had applied earlier but did not submit samples, thereby, depriving others of the opportunity.

Club president Bryn Jones has placed on record the club's sincere thanks to the Leader for their assistance in the previous home testing campaigns.

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He added: "We are extremely grateful to the Leader for the coverage it has provided within the newspaper and in the Leader Facebook pages.

"This was a new way of carrying out the tests and our post-event analysis led to our concluding that the single most important factor in making the public aware of the campaign was the Leader's Facebook page.

"There is no doubt that the Leader's assistance led to the saving lives."