Lambourn Surgery Patient Participation Group Newsletter, February 2022
Help Find the Missing Men
Over 49,000 men in England were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer.
However, the pandemic has made it more difficult for men to approach their GPs. The latest data shows that since March 2020, urgent referrals by GPs in England have dropped by over 52,000.
As a result, more than 8,600 fewer men in England started treatment for prostate cancer in 2020 than in the previous year. Unless these missing men are found quickly, thousands could be left with less chance of a cure.
The early stages of prostate cancer don’t usually cause any symptoms. Some men might notice changes in urination and get an early diagnosis, while others might not have any signs until the cancer has spread. An early diagnosis makes an enormous difference. When the cancer is still in the early stages and hasn’t grown outside the prostate, treatments like surgery or radiotherapy are very effective. However, once the cancer spreads to other regions of the body, it is incurable.
Thousands of men are missing out on potentially life-saving conversations with their GPs – Please share this thirty-second risk checker to help find these missing men and help them to get an early diagnosis.
Check Your Risk (prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker)
Lambourn Surgery Amenities Fund
The Lambourn Surgery Amenities Fund is a registered charity that funds facilities for Lambourn Surgery that are not normally funded by the NHS. A recent example is a centrifuge that allows blood samples to be taken throughout the day rather than just mornings and thus enables more flexible appointments for patients. As a charity it is dependent upon donations and if anyone wishes to donate or leave a legacy then please contact the PPG who will put you in touch with one of the trustees (there are patient trustees as well as surgery trustees). Another way of supporting the fund without cost to yourself is the Amazon Smile programme, this is a website operated by Amazon. It features the same products at the same prices as the standard Amazon site. The only difference is, when you shop on Amazon Smile, the Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the cost of all eligible products to your chosen charity.
If you are an Amazon customer then to sign up for Amazon Smile visit www.smile.amazon.co.uk and simply log in to your account and search for Lambourn Surgery Amenities Fund in the ‘pick your own charity’ search bar when invited. Thanks in advance if you choose to support.
Remember
In order that our surgery can provide care to those most in need please consider consulting with a pharmacist or calling 111 or the online service 111.nhs.uk for straightforward medical advice. If you do need to attend the surgery, remember that it is still a requirement to wear a face covering in healthcare settings (unless exempt).
You can contact the PPG via email; ppgchairpersonlambourn@gmail.com or in writing via the surgery office (Bockhampton Road, Lambourn, RG17 8PS) addressed to the Chair of the PPG.
Alan Breadmore, Chair, Lambourn Surgery PPG
