Cancer campaigners to preach prostate lessons (From Watford Observer)

Cancer campaigners to preach prostate lessons

10:18am Wednesday 18th March 2009 in

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A determined group of cancer survivors and volunteers has begun a series of high profile publicity events to mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

The group, calling itself The Friends of the Prostate, is determined that all local men should be aware of the symptoms of what they call a “silent killer.”

Led by former teacher Bob Arthy the group’s members will take to the streets of Chorleywood at 10am on Saturday morning, distributing information leaflets and even singing an awareness raising song penned last year.

The group will then hold the second of four public meetings at the Stag pub, in Long Lane, at 12am. The first is planned for tomorrow (Thursday) at 11am in the library.

Mr Arthy, 68, of Chalfont Lane, was diagnosed with the disease last year – a disease which claims around 10,000 lives every year.

Like many men he put off going to the doctor for months, passing off the disease’s uncomfortable symptoms as merely a consequence of his advancing years. This mistake, he says, almost cost him his life.

He said: “I was very, very lucky that my cancer was spotted when it was. Like most men I hate going to the doctors but for once in my life I was sensible. I knew something was wrong; I couldn’t pee properly and was in a lot of pain.

“If men have these symptoms then they must get themselves checked. Yes its embarrassing, yes its awkward, yes it involves finger somewhere unpleasant but prostate cancer really isn’t about you.

“Prostate cancer is about your family; it’s about your son, your daughter, your wife – the people you will leave behind because you were too scared to go to the doctor.”

At the moment the Government has no plans to introduce a national testing programme similar to those used to diagnose breast or cervical cancers.

Instead men are urged to seek medical advice if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning urination
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

The Friends of Prostate will hold presentations on the following dates and locations:

• Tomorrow at 11.00 am in Chorleywood Library
• Saturday at Noon in The Stag pub, Long Lane
• Friday, March 27, at 7.30 pm in The Rose and Crown, Chorleywood
• Saturday, March 28 at Noon at the Bedford Arms, Chenies