Samantha takes on March the Month challenge for prostate cancer charity

A Sidmouth woman will be walking 11,000 steps every day of this month to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Samantha Crow wants to spread the word about how important it is for men to get themselves checked – and she's also raising money for the charity Prostate Cancer UK.

Across the country, people are taking part in the March the Month challenge – with the 11,000 steps representing the 11,000 men who die of the disease in the UK every year.

Samantha told Sidmouth Nub News she was inspired to do it by the experience of her own father.

She said: "In 2018 my dad went for a regular diabetes check-up. He had his bloods taken. My mother had seen a programme featuring prostate cancer awareness just in the weeks before, so whilst attending the appointment with my dad she asked if they could also check his blood sample for prostate cancer.

"This was the only reason my dad's prostate cancer was detected, because my mom asked for it to be checked. Currently, there is no national screening programme for men.

"My dad had an operation and is still with us today because of the early detection. For many men this is not the case.

"I would like to get the message out there, for men to ask their doctors to get checked. It is just a simple blood sample. It is not an invasive treatment like women's smear tests."

Look out for Samantha on her walks around Sidmouth

Samantha has been getting into training for her extra walks during the month of February.

She said: "I am a key-worker, working at our local secondary school. I have swapped driving to work to walking to and from work to get extra steps in and I go out for walks in our local beautiful Sidmouth of an evening to gain extra steps. At weekends I have had friends join me for walks. I usually walk about 3,000 steps a day so I have been training through February to see what I need to do to increase my steps.

"I have a JustGiving page which I share on Facebook. I will be wearing my Prostate Cancer UK charity t-shirt when on my walks throughout March. My main aim is to raise awareness and encourage men to get checked for prostate cancer. Early detection is vital."

Prostate Cancer UK wants to see a UK-wide screening programme, and is working with experts to find the best way to deliver it. In the meantime, the charity is raising public awareness of the disease and making sure GPs make the best use of the tests they currently have.

To find out more about the charity, and donate to Samantha's fundraising visit the Prostate Cancer UK website