Company taking the Initiative

Male employees at Agilent Technologies are benefiting from Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing provided through their Occupational Health Department and funded by their company.

The South Queensferry site of Agilent Technologies, previously a part of Hewlett Packard and now a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences, is recognised as being one of the leading companies in Scotland for its commitment to Health Promotion.

Its innovative approach to workplace health initiatives earned the company the first Gold award in the Lothian area of the Scotland Health at Work Scheme.  The PSA project is already proving to be a winner: over 98% of possible candidates have signed up.

As a continuation of their Men & Health campaign, all male employees over the age of 40 are being offered a PSA test with the take up being exceptionally high.  A series of lectures was given to inform the target group of the intended programme and what to expect. Information packs were then sent out before appointments with the company medical advisor.  The packs contain the International Prostate score, a sample bottle for urinalysis and a set of information leaflets from the Prostate Research Campaign UK.

Appointments are timed to allow discussion and the taking of a blood sample for PSA screening.  Lab results are returned within ten days and the men then notified of their results.  Any abnormal results are discussed and the individual referred to their own doctor for any further follow-up.  Of the first 30 men taking the test within the company, 3 were referred to their own doctors for further tests.

With PSA tests costing much the same as a flu vaccination, it makes complete sense for companies to offer PSA tests to employees.