22 August 2016

Costain’s London Bridge Station Redevelopment is working with leading charity Prostate Cancer UK to raise awareness among its workforce of a cancer that affects one in eight men in the UK. 

Led by Graham Dean, Community and Security Manager, and Amy Nott, Project Skills Co-ordinator, and the site’s two occupational nurses, the campaign has included the showing of a video ‘Two minutes to save a man’s life’ at the start of each shift. More than 1,000 life-saving “Know your Prostate” information cards and translated materials were also distributed across the site. Prostate cancer survivor Bill Pechin, one of hundreds of trained volunteers, also visited the site to share his experience. He spoke to more than 900 of the workforce about the disease, what to look out for and how to seek help from Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses.  

The Costain London Bridge project team also raised £6,000 for the charity through the Close Calls scheme. Every time an employee submitted a card that reported a close call on site, Costain made a donation to the charity, whose headquarters are close to the project site.

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men,” said Amy. “But we were shocked to find out that 83% of men at risk don’t even know they’re in danger.  Working with the team at Prostate Cancer UK was fantastic.  It’s been one of our most engaging health campaigns with many men on site now asking the question ‘What is prostate cancer and how does it affect me?’. Our nurses have had several requests for more information and lots more have taken the information booklets available. And so far several operatives have been identified with potential symptoms and recommended to see their doctors.”

Added Sukhi Dale, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Prostate Cancer UK: “With one man dying of prostate cancer every hour, and one in eight at risk, awareness is key to saving men’s lives.  Thanks to the fantastic Costain team at London Bridge, hundreds of men on site now know their risk, and are taking action before it’s too late.

“We’re also very grateful to everyone for raising money that will help us revolutionise diagnosis, provide specialist support and tame prostate cancer within the next ten years.  Not only is Costain transforming London Bridge Station but it’s building a better future for its workforce and men everywhere”.       

 

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