MORE than 200 Isle of Wight men were tested for prostate cancer in a bid to cut deaths from the disease.

They were given a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test at the Masonic Lodge in Cowes, which organised the test day.

It was funded by Medina 35 in association with Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer support group.

Five phlebotomists from St Mary’s Hospital, supported by 30 volunteers, tested 240 men throughout the day.

The event was supported by Isle of Wight company Pit-stop Training — which supplied a courier to transport the blood samples — and Wightlink, which donated the courier's ferry fare.

Organisers said that with one man dying from prostate cancer every 45 minutes, and no screening test available, it was no surprise the event, held on Saturday, May 18, was oversubscribed.

More names were added to a list for another event in the autumn.

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