Carol Vorderman launches cancer event
TV presenter Carol Vorderman has urged Bristol women to encourage the men in their life to get tested for prostate cancer.
The former Countdown presenter, who lives in the city, made the plea as she launched this year's Run for the Future event to raise awareness about the disease and funds for research.
-
Ms Vorderman took part in last year's event and said she is likely to join the hundreds of participants again this year, possibly in fancy dress.
The 5km fun run on the Downs, organised by Bristol Rotarians, will be held in the city for the fourth time, with money going towards the Bristol Urological Institute's (BUI) Prostate Cancer Appeal.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Ms Vorderman's agent John Miles is the chairman of the appeal, and battled prostate cancer himself nine years ago.
Mr Miles told the guests at the launch in the Marriott Royal Hotel yesterday that if it was not for him reading an article about PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood tests and requesting one he may not be here today.
Ms Vorderman told the Post: "Other than my son, John is the most important man in my life and he is family. The thought of him not being here is terrible.
"I remember him reading the article and telling him 'just go and have that test'.
"He never normally goes to the doctors, so thank the Lord he did."
Ms Vorderman said that her mother, who also lives in Bristol, has had cancer twice, and that the presenter's experiences had taught her of the importance of catching the disease early. She said that to ensure men are diagnosed early it was important that the women in their lives badgered them into visiting a doctor.
Ms Vorderman said: "Should a husband or father get prostate cancer it is something that affects the whole family.
"It is important as a wife to encourage her husband to go and get a test.
"We want to involve more women in Run for the Future this year.
"Last year's Run for the Future was lovely because a lot of the people there were families who had been affected in one way or another but it was a very happy day, not down.
"The kids who were there were funny and some were in fancy dress.
"I might go for fancy dress this year."
Since filming her last episodes of Countdown in November, Ms Vorderman said she did not have to travel so much and could spend more time at home.
She is spending several days a week working with Tory leader David Cameron on a maths taskforce and will be appearing on the first episode of Apprentice: You're Fired next week, after her stint on a Comic Relief special of Apprentice in the victorious women's team.
Ms Vorderman said she was about to write her autobiography and was in the process of setting up a business that would be run from Bristol, although she would not reveal details at this stage.
This year's Run for the Future will be held on September 20, and at the launch organisers revealed that counterparts in Norwich had followed in their footsteps and organised a Walk for the Future two weeks later.
For more information call 959 6328 or visit Run for the Future.
Comments
by Michele Taylor, Wolverhampton
Friday, March 20 2009, 1:50PM
“I am a nurse running a clinic for men with urine flow rate problems. We are using an NHS invented product, the Uflow meter, to help assess the severity of reduced urine flow rate in men. This forms part of the assessment to preclude or help identify prostate cancer in conjuction with other tests. The Uflow meter can be used at home during assessment by your doctor.
The men who have used the Uflow meter found it easy to use and help to see and quantify their flow rate. They were able to contribute to the assessment process. Men can also use the Uflow meter to screen themselves and check they have a good flow rate. A poor flow rate can indicate obstruction from an enlarged prostate.”
by Mike, Bristol
Friday, March 20 2009, 7:29AM
“A very good way to promote this test is to tell people that they can have it done by a blood test and that there's no need to have two fingers stuck up your backside, in all seriousness that's what seems to be putting many men that I've spoke to off having the test.
A very good friend of mine took part in a survey and was tested, it saved his life as it was caught in time. Many men are concerned about this test a test that could save their life.”