We were delighted to welcome members of the Royal Arch Freemasons of the Province of Hertfordshire, together with their families, for the PSA prostate health check. These events continue to play an important part in raising awareness and early detection. In previous years, this simple blood test has proven invaluable, leading to a number of individuals being referred to their GP for further investigation and, where necessary, timely treatment. Unfortunately, of the 117 tested, 36 require further investigation.

These potentially life-saving events provide an opportunity for open conversation around men’s health. Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. Around 60,000 men diagnosed each year, and around 1 in 8 men expected to develop the disease during their lifetime making these events particularly important.

Prostate cancer claims over 12,000 lives annually in the UK, highlighting the vital importance of awareness, early testing, and timely medical intervention. When the condition is detected early, survival rates are high with nearly 8 in 10 men surviving for ten years or more.

At the Lawrence Cloisters Trust, we were proud to support this important initiative by providing the use of our hall for the event. We were also pleased to arrange catering for both the organisers and the attending nursing team, ensuring that everyone involved was well supported and looked after throughout the day. It is a privilege to contribute to events that promote health awareness and have the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.