A West Lothian support group is celebrating 15 years of fighting to raise awareness of one of the most common cancers while helping those who have been effected.
The West Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group celebrated the anniversary with members and invited guests last week at Crofthead Farm Community Centre.
They heard about the wonderful achievements the group has made in raising awareness of the disease over the past 15 years and from speakers about the current and future treatments that are available to patients
But they also heard that due to the pandemic, many men had avoided, or could not see a doctor, to discuss the symptoms they were experiencing.
Prostate cancer can affect one in 10 men in Scotland and is the most common cancer amongst men in Scotland.
But while the number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer in Scotland is increasing, so have survival rates, especially when symptoms have been recognised, an early diagnosis made and treatment started.
Worryingly though, not all men will have any symptoms in the early stages. Some men may have this condition in later years without it leading to any problems.
And this is where the support group comes in. For the last 15 years it has offered vital support to men receiving treatment and their families and helped them to make choices about their procedures or signpost them to more information and help.
Group leader Charlie Hogg said: “Following the recent two years of the pandemic many men have avoided seeing their doctor when they had symptoms related to urine control or pain.
“A recent report from Prostate UK estimated around 16,000 men in the UK were going about undiagnosed and with one in eight men expected to get prostate cancer, it is time for men to get tested.”
Charlie said the group has also been working with West Lothian Council and local GP practices to get that message out there.
He continued: “The support group, with the help of the council, has advertised information on the council’s website and sent a letter to all GP Practices in West Lothian explaining about the campaign.
“We have also asked for details to be distributed within all their team and to ask for a supply of leaflets and posters. They can also request an information chat from a member of the group to any part of their team who might benefit from a greater understanding of all the issues and the available local support.”
Charlie also said the group provides a valuable support system of ‘buddies’ that enables men to talk to other men either on the phone or at a meeting.
All have, or have had, prostate cancer and have undergone different forms of treatment. The members share their experiences of diagnosis and treatments and many members say it was “boost” during a very difficult time’
At every meeting, the group welcomes experienced speakers and last week’s was no different as members heard from Dr Brendan McCann, a consultant urologist at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre to talk about the current and future treatments for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The group is working hard on new campaigns to raise awareness about Prostate Cancer and all the help it can offer. For more information contact Charlie Hogg on 01506 845981 or e mail him at charliehogg@blueyonder.co.uk or contact Duncan Wallace at dingbrodunky@gmail.com.
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