MORE men’s lives may have been saved thanks to a health awareness day held in Colchester.

More than 180 men attended the event at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, run by men’s health charity, Chaps.

Screening was available for aortic aneurysm, prostate cancer, skin cancer and diabetes, plus there were risk assessments for heart attacks and strokes.

Prof Chris Booth, Chaps clinical director, said: “It did pick up six skin cancers, of which two were dangerous. Just picking up those alone makes the day worthwhile.”

Prof Booth said 170 prostate cancer checks were carried out, the results of which will come back in a few days. He said some of those would be likely to show positive for cancers.

There were 130 diabetes checks carried out and 29 were shown to have high blood sugar levels, a potential indicator of the illness.

The event was opened by Colchester’s mayor John Elliott.

The next Chaps men’s health day will take place at Southend United Football Club, onMay 18, between 10am and 4pm.