Parker and Son highlights construction’s vulnerability to prostate cancer for Men’s Health Week

Parker and Son highlights construction’s vulnerability to prostate cancer for Men’s Health WeekThe construction industry is one of the most vulnerable sectors due to over 89% of the workforce being male and approximately a third being aged over 50. For Men’s Health Week (running from 15th – 21st June) Parker and Son Construction is highlighting this issue and encouraging workers to get tested for prostate cancer for early diagnosis. 

There are several reasons for the construction industry being susceptible to the disease. In addition to demographics, workplace culture can result in delays in diagnosis. The industry is associated with having a ‘macho’ culture where most early symptoms could be disregarded and excused with ‘it will pass’. Ignoring these early symptoms results in a later stage diagnosis which makes the cancer much harder to treat.

Another reason is the loss of income, or even unemployment, due to taking time off for health reasons. Many construction workers are concerned that a diagnosis will result in long periods of being unable to work which could result in a reduction in pay and, potentially, unemployment.

The long, inflexible hours of the industry also make it harder for workers to get GP appointments and create difficulties in getting standard health checks which can result in late diagnosis. 

The Parker and Son team has felt the effects of this horrible disease. Co-founder Roy (Curly) Parker, who was Chris Parker’s father and Managing Director James Parker’s grandfather, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 65. 

Chris said: “The diagnosis reshaped our perspective. Navigating this hurdle required a true team effort, not to mention the personal challenges for Roy and the family. 

“Stepping up to support Roy behind the scenes at the time taught us the true value of a resilient workforce – a principle that still defines our company today. As his journey with the disease continued to its end, our family’s biggest piece of advice from this personal tragedy is simple: please get checked out early.”

Another member of the team who has been affected by this disease is builder and good friend of the Parker family Fred Freeman. Fred’s father very sadly died of prostate cancer and, before he passed, he urged his son Fred to get tested. Fred had no symptoms but, after some initial difficulty getting an appointment, he finally managed to see a GP. Fred and his family’s world was turned upside down when they learned Fred had Stage 3 Prostate Cancer. Fred had to undergo surgery to have his prostate removed which was successful and Fred received the amazing news that he was cancer-free. 

Fred’s wife Marisa said: “We are so grateful to the NHS for acting quickly and providing the treatment he needed. We’re also very grateful to his dad for being his angel on his shoulder.” Fred’s diagnosis became a very important catalyst for other members of the team to get tested for the disease. 

With such a large portion of the workforce being at risk, organisations such as Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Prostate Cancer UK are now running targeted campaigns to address this problem and make help more accessible for construction workers. As the UK National Screening Committee currently does not offer routine prostate screening, creating more awareness for construction workers and making early diagnosis more available is paramount to tackling this disease.