WELLBEING
MARIA BOOSTS FIGHT AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER
As many as 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and yet it is still something of a taboo subject. Former NHS nurse Maria Hughes,
who serves North Wales Police as Head of Medical Services and Wellbeing, decided to do something about it. She contacted the Graham Fulford charity which promotes prostate testing and then approached the local Federation for help with logistics and promotion. North Wales Police Federation Chair Mark Jones explained: “This was the first proactive wellbeing work we’ve done that targets a large proportion of the workforce. We wanted to focus on the whole policing family, from serving officers to police staff, volunteers and our retired colleagues. We were able to raise awareness of prostate cancer as well as test for it, which is still unfortunately not talked about enough.” Six events were held involving 400
blood tests. Of these, 10 were flagged up for further investigation, while five were confirmed as early-stage prostate cancer.
North Wales Chief Constable Carl Foulkes attending the prostate clinic
Maria said: “One chap who ended up
being diagnosed wasn’t going to attend but decided on a coin toss. If it had been the other way he wouldn’t have come.” Former Inspector Brian Robinson
was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, he does not need treatment, but he now has regular tests and is helping to spread the word. He said: “When Maria and her team were testing, I pressured many of my
Maria Hughes and her team
colleagues into going along. Thankfully, most tested negative but one close colleague is now in the programme. With an older workforce it is essential that proactive identification of health issues is undertaken.”
Prostate cancer can be treated efectively if identified early. For information on setting up an event in your Force, contact
MarkJones@nwpf.polfed.org
12 | POLICE | FEBRUARY 2021
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