EXPERTS say lives have been saved after 150 men attended special health checks in Clacton.

The men’s health day uncovered a number of undiagnosed problems, including possible prostate cancer and potentially fatal abdominal aortic aneurysms, which kill more than 6,000 men a year.

The CHAPS charity carried out the free tests, including ultrasound scans and prostate cancer screening, at the event at the town’s information centre.

Clinical director Chris Booth said: “Today I know we have seen one man with an aortic aneurysm and picked up another with bladder cancer.

“There were also two highly abnormal prostate results and probably three or four guys with prostate cancer.

“In the past we have picked up chaps with kidney cancers, so these events do save lives. I think the value of a day like today is it raises awareness.

“Only about half of men go to their doctors for any kind of check-ups so we are providing another way for men to be screened.”

The men’s health day was funded by Clacton Lions. Member Adrian Robinson was among the patients who went along to be tested.

“Men are naturally reluctant to deal with health issues unless something goes badly wrong,” he said.

“The idea is this is prevention or early detection.

“There are instances of people being found with quite severe prostate cancer which was totally undetected before.”

Patients in Clacton were also tested for the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Mr Robinson added: “We could quite easily have saved a life today.”