No taboos at Crowle: Freemasons get double helping of health advice from two passionate advocates for action
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Chris Jones earned a standing ovation from members of Crowle’s Vermuyden Lodge when he went there to deliver the first of a series of talks about his round-Britain walk, and Past Master Paul Fox got laughs and applause when he made his Prostate Cancer story very personal in a unique and unexpected way.
Provincial Communications Officer Stuart Pearcey said: “The power of Freemasonry for improving lives is proven and well understood – but who knew how much of a life-saver it could be! Imagine; an evening in which taboos about mental health and prostate cancer are broken down with passionate calls to potentially life-saving action, served up with a portion of cottage pie. It’s a most unlikely combination, but one which will live long in the memory.”
Chris’s talk struck a chord with more than 50 people who’d attended, and hit home with many of them who were from professions closer than most to seeing the impact of poor mental health. A significant proportion admitted to having suffered it themselves, and seen it in others on a near-daily basis. The Lodge boosted Chris’s fundraising pot with a £500 donation, and announced that it would be giving a further £1,500 to the MCF through our Festival ahead of the August 1st deadline.
Chris made his visit to Crowle as the result of a conversation with Vermuyden Lodge Master Dave Torn. The two had sat together at lunch after a QC meeting at Freemasons Hall, discovering that they both had military backgrounds as sappers, the Army’s civil engineers. Chris re-iterated his gratitude to the counselling service of the MCF, which he’s in no doubt saved his life when he was at his lowest ebb. He encouraged anyone who felt them might need support to get in touch with the service with a phone call to 0800 035 60 90.
Prostate Cancer screening
Meanwhile, Paul Fox used a joke ‘gentleman’s area’ outfit, a pea, a walnut, and a lemon to highlight how vital it was for men to get their prostate checked, making the most of the free testing offer being made by Province at our Provincial meetings on May 14th this year. Delivering a very serious message in a light-hearted way he said: “It’s simple blood test that can highlight what’s happening with your prostate and tell you if you need further investigation.” The prostate gland is normally the size of a pea, but gets larger as men get older. Whilst enlargement can be a problem when it comes to having a pee, it’s not forced to be linked yo cancer – but it’s well worth a check.
The blood test really was a lifesaver for Paul. He’d urged every member of the Lodge to get tested, and thought he should lead by example and get tested himself when promoted to do so by another member. Said Paul: “I was convinced I was fine. I had no symptoms, but I got tested anyway. Turns out I was suffering an aggressive form of Prostate Cancer. The test picked it up, and I had surgery to remove my prostate.” He’s convinced that without that intervention it would have been too late for him, just as it has turned out to be for Olympian Sir Chris Hoy.
The testing procedure
Any Lincolnshire Freemason past his 40th birthday is eligible for a PSA test paid for by the Province.
Working with the CHAPS charity we’re running FREE PSA testing for the second year on May 14th, the day of our Provincial Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Lodge meetings – but you don’t have to attend either meeting to have your test.
Last year’s testing at the Lincolnshire Showground revealed a higher-than-average number of men whose test results came back with red or amber flags, indicating the need for further examination. The opportunity to be tested is available to anyone between the ages of 40 and 80 not already being treated or under care for a known prostatic condition.
Screening is strongly recommended for men with a family history of prostate cancer, breast, or ovarian cancer, or those of black African and Caribbean heritage who are at high risk from prostate cancer.
Testing in summary
