Impulse Leisure hosts CHAPS Free Men's Health Checks Day

The second Men’s Health Check event was held at Impulse Leisure’s Civic Hall, Grays, on Thursday 23rd February. Organised by CHAPS, the men’s health charity, 209 men took advantage of the checks and screening offered.

Impulse Leisure was pleased to host and sponsor the event for the second year running, which aims to prevent long term illness through early diagnosis and to also refer local men to further support services. Kind donations on the day also helped to raise £952.11 for CHAPS.

In addition to prostate cancer screening organised by CHAPS, organisers partnered with the local NHS and Mayflower Healthcare Clinic to offer checks for heart disease, skin diseases and skin cancer.

This year’s event was named in memory of Clive Broad, who was previously diagnosed with prostate cancer following a CHAPS event in 2017. He was successfully treated at the time but sadly passed away in 2022 from an unrelated illness. With the mayor Cllr James Halden in attendance, the event was opened by Mrs Gillian Broad and dedicated to her late husband Clive.

Of the 209 men tested, 23 were identified as amber or red risk following prostate tests, and 18 as having a type of skin cancer or a pre-cancerous skin condition, and all have been referred to the health service to begin treatment or undergo further tests.

Speaking about the event, Garry Tapsell of Impulse Leisure said: “One of our key aims as a leisure trust is to create active and healthy communities. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and these events are a brilliant way to encourage men to check for common conditions which are often more easily treatable when diagnosed early.

“The money raised will be reinvested by CHAPS to help run future events and we hope to continue working together for the benefit of our local community.”

In the UK, 70,000 men die prematurely every year. There are no NHS screening programmes for prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the country. However, CHAPS' events, initiatives and sheer determination aim to change that. Regular checks help cut the deaths from prostate cancer by 50%, so awareness and early detection are vital.

A spokesman from CHAPS reiterated this: “Regular screening for prostate cancer with the simple PSA blood test between the ages of 40-80 can halve the death rate from this cancer that will affect 1 in 8 white men and 1 in 4 black men in their lifetime. So, if any local men missed the opportunity this time, the next events will be at Upminster Masonic Centre on 11th October, , followed by Club Kingswood, Basildon on 19th October.

“It costs approximately £5,000 for CHAPS charity to fulfil one of these events, which is all raised through fundraising and sponsorship. Any donations are welcome to ensure these vital screening programmes continue to happen!”

Future dates plus instructions on how to donate towards future events can be found via the CHAPS website: www.chaps.uk.com/events