Fun day to help knock spots off killer disease

A FREE domino tournament to be held in Leicester next month will help raise awareness of prostate cancer among African Caribbean men.

Statistics show one in four African Caribbean men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives, compared with one in eight from other backgrounds.

At the event, people from African and African Caribbean communities from Leicester, Oldham and Coventry will compete in the tournament, organised as part of a “Play Domino, Talk Prostate” initiative by the Leicester Centre for Black and Minority Ethnic Health.

The event, which also features adults’ walking football, a children’s football tournament and ‘Chat and Plait’ and ‘Mehndi and Mingle’ sessions, will take place at the Highfield Sports and Social Club in Gleneagles Avenue, Leicester on Saturday, September 28, between 1pm and 8pm.

Pamela Campbell-Morris, of BME Health, said: “We hope that the day will help to raise more awareness, predominantly among those of the African and African Caribbean communities, about prostate cancer, obesity and mental health.

“Everyone is invited to this event, which will see organisations joining together to offer support in addressing health inequalities through sports and cultural activities.”

Latest figures from Prostate Cancer UK revealed the disease was responsible for 11,819 male deaths in 2015, compared with 11,442 female deaths from breast cancer – the first time it has overtaken breast cancer deaths in women.