Former Scotland international and British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan has backed a men’s health charity campaigning for a nationwide prostate cancer screening programme.
McGeechan, who has experienced prostate cancer himself, voiced his support for CHAPS at a fundraising event. The charity provides access to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and raises awareness of prostate cancer risks and early detection.
Founded by retired consultant urologist Professor Chris Booth, CHAPS is also calling for a coordinated national screening programme to help identify the disease earlier.
McGeechan Highlights Importance of Early Detection
The former rugby player, who represented Scotland 32 times over seven years and captained the national team on nine occasions, said his personal experience had shown him the importance of detecting prostate cancer early.
McGeechan revealed in October last year that his cancer was “all gone and under control”.
He said he had been fortunate that the disease was detected and treated, but warned that other men might not have the same experience.
“Having experienced prostate cancer myself, I know just how important it is to identify the disease early,” McGeechan said.
He explained that screening allows men to have their blood test results assessed by a medical professional, understand their individual risk and receive guidance on the next steps.
According to McGeechan, early detection can allow treatment to begin when it is more likely to be effective, while a later diagnosis may leave patients with fewer treatment options.
He encouraged men to learn about their risk and seek testing, particularly those with a family history of the disease or other increased risk factors.
CHAPS Calls for Nationwide Screening Programme
Professor Booth welcomed McGeechan’s backing, saying the rugby figure’s involvement could encourage more men to learn about prostate cancer and recognise its risks and symptoms.
Booth said CHAPS would continue campaigning for a nationwide screening programme while providing information about prostate cancer and other men’s health issues.
He added that support from prominent figures such as McGeechan could help the charity reach more people and encourage open conversations about health.
Booth said reluctance to discuss health concerns could have serious consequences and urged men and their families to understand the warning signs and seek medical advice when concerned.
Thousands of Men Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer Every Year
More than 56,000 men in England and around 5,000 men in Scotland are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, according to the figures cited by the charity.
The disease also causes approximately 11,000 deaths each year across the two countries, including about 10,000 in England and 1,000 in Scotland.
Booth argued that the UK‘s comparatively high prostate cancer mortality rate, relative to other western European countries, was linked to the absence of an effective nationwide screening programme and the resulting higher rates of late diagnosis.
He criticised the reliance on routine medical appointments prompted by symptoms, arguing that this approach was being treated as a substitute for a dedicated screening programme.
Charity Urges Men to Learn About Their Risk
Booth said early detection was essential and called on men and their families to take prostate cancer awareness seriously.
He urged men to familiarise themselves with the disease’s signs and symptoms and to seek a PSA blood test if they were concerned about their risk.
CHAPS continues to campaign for broader access to testing and a nationwide screening programme, with McGeechan’s support adding to its efforts to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis
