PSA Testing with PCaSA

Over the last 6 years Rotary has been working with PCaSO (Prostrate Cancer Support Organisation) to arrange for the men of Verwood to have their PSA levels tested.

Unfortunately due to Covid-19 PCaSO have been unable to run any face to face testing this year.

However they have been able to arrange for anyone who wishes to have a test, but cannot get to their doctor, to be able to do so via an online company.

If anyone is interested in this then please see the details below.

PCaSO have been running PSA testing events for some nine years but because of the COVID-19 problems we have not run a single event in 2020 and these will probably not re-start before mid-2021 at the earliest.

There is now an option if you need or would like to have a PSA test and cannot get to your GP. Our partners in the testing programme, Graham Fulford Charitable Trust (GFCT Ltd), offer a personal PSA testing kit developed by the well-respected private service, The Doctors Laboratory (TDL). PCaSO have used the laboratory in the past and know that they do thousands of medical analyses each month.

The huge advantage over traditional testing events is that men can order a test online literally 24/7, 365 days a year from the comfort and safety of their own home. There is a charge of £22.99 per test for the kit, postage, laboratory analysis and results. You will be asked to pay this online as part of the application process. PCaSO does not receive any of this money, or any commission.

The clinical overview of results and the detailed follow up letters are in exactly the same format as before, so the only difference in the whole process is that you take a small finger prick sample yourself. The system is safe, robust and well tested. Having said this if any man registering for a test struggles to take the sample, he can have either a free replacement testing kit or a two thirds refund of the original cost, one third being needed to cover the costs of sending the kit to them when they registered.

This test is simple to do, you have to prick your clean finger and squeeze a small blood sample into a small vial.

TO ORDER, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Visit https://pcaso.mypsatests.org.uk/  to register your email address and a personal password. You will then be sent a verification email to check you are a real person! Once you have clicked on the verification button within this email, you can log back onto our website and request your kit by clicking on the button to order a Home Testing Kit. Once you have completed your contact details and answered a few questions, the kit will be posted to you.

When you receive the kit, read the instructions, perhaps getting someone to help you carry out the test.

Then put the filled vial of the small blood sample in the plastic case provided along with the form in the return paid envelope. Put it in the post, and you will receive the results within a few days. The quicker you return the sample the quicker you'll get your result.

If you'd like more information please contact Susan, Jon or Wendy at the GFCT office on 01926 419959 or email to info@psatests.org.uk .

Please forward this email to anyone you know who might need or be interested in a test.