We are a friendly and supportive network that meets at BAWA, Filton (directions below). Meeting details are in the column on the left. You can contact us via the Contact/Join us link above. We also give prostate cancer awareness talks to interested groups, including those with learning disabilities. To arrange a talk, contact prospect.bristol@gmail.com
Officers and committee update
Tim Bond, below left, was re-elected chairman of Prospect at the 2024 AGM. Martin Webb, below right, was also re-elected secretary. Andy Mullett (second row. left) took over from Paul Williams as Prospect’s treasurer. Other committee members, including Jeff Allen, second row below right, were re-elected. Richard Miles and Mike James were elected to take our new committee up to 12 members. Richard later resigned but after a discussion with committee members he decided to withdraw his resignation and continue in the reduced role discussed. Chairman Tim commented: “Really glad to see this. Your experience is valuable to us. I suspect the issues you are facing are much more common than are generally reported. It really matters that our committee includes the range of experience of prostate cancer and its impact on all aspects of our life.” Mike (left) and Richard are pictured in the bottom line of photos below.
Just diagnosed? Our group aims to:
- Support men who suspect they may have PCa or who have been diagnosed and feel they need more information or support to decide on the best way forward. Our members have been through a variety of treatments and many are willing to talk to newcomers about any issues. A list of these members and the treatment they have had is available via committee members.
- Provide a local informal meeting place for PCa patients, where personal experiences of treatments can be exchanged. We organise occasional walks (see below) and our usual meetings are at 7pm at the BAWA, Filton – directions here
- Keep patients and carers in touch with medical professionals and up-to-date knowledge of medical developments and local arrangements for treatment. Support can be had here too
- Champion the cause of PCa patients and encourage all men over 50 to receive an annual PSA check. The PSA test is explained here and this article explains what the prostate is. This site tells of the warning signs of this cancer. And you can check your risk here with just 3 questions. And here is a guide for men who’ve just been diagnosed.
- Raise awareness of prostate cancer.
- Symptoms of cancer do not usually appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra). When this happens, you may notice things like:
- an increased need to pee
- straining while you pee
- a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied
These symptoms should not be ignored, but they do not mean you have prostate cancer. It’s more likely they’re caused by something else, such as prostate enlargement. Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs. 1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.
We’ve found knowledge is of great benefit to the patient. It enables him to play an active part in the decision-making process, for example in selecting the best treatment See more here and here. Know the risk factors of PCa. See here
This site has been compiled by PCa survivors. We don’t claim to have specialist knowledge other than that gained by PCa patients during their treatment.
We offer a friendly welcome – join us
Are you just diagnosed, or do you suspect that you may have prostate cancer? Then for friendly peer support and an introduction to Prospect email prospect.bristol@gmail.com You can join us via the Contact/Join us link above or by filling in the PDF membership form here
The Prospect members’ 2024 walk around Ashton Court
Having the conversation…
“Manversation” is a campaign to encourage men to speak about prostate cancer, particularly the advanced prostate form. Tackle have collaborated with Orchid, the male cancer charity, and put their name to a video and supporting material on the Manversation website.
Myths debunked and spotting fake cancer news
Cancer myths debunked. See here, also here. And here are tips about cancer myths around food. Also here is a link to info on the causes of cancer
New information for at-risk Black men
One in four black men will get prostate cancer – double the overall risk faced by all UK men. Are you are risk? See here And reducing barriers to screening in Black men with PCa – See more here And genetics might explain black men’s higher risk. See here
And a team at UCL London is seeking to understand the unique experiences of Black men with PCa care in the UK. It wants to uncover the reasons behind healthcare inequalities and developing targeted support to improve outcomes. See flyer or this website. And an NHS 10-part series aims to support Black communities to have open conversations about the risk of Black men developing PCa and the importance of getting tested. See here on YouTube
Tiger or pussycat? New test found
It’s a big problem to tell the difference between slow-growing cancers and aggressive ones. Now a test that spots dangerous PCa tumours has been developed (Oct ’22). More here
Cancer ‘as unique as fingerprints’
Each person’s cancer is as unique as their fingerprints, said Professor Gillies McKenna, Director of the CRUK/MCR Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology. This created an opportunity for more precise treatment.