Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group

Newsletter November 2016

SOCIAL EVENT: SKITTLES EVENING

Saturday 10 December: skittles evening.  7.00 for 7.30 p.m. at The Ferryman, Bablock Hythe, OX29 5AT.  The return of our popular winter social event.  An evening’s fun in the skittle alley, with chicken/sausage/fish and chips, or vegetarian alternative for £8.95.  If you would like to attend please contact John Goldsmith john.goldsmith43@outlook.com, 01865 580152 with your choice of meal.

NB If using sat nav to find the pub, make sure you are on the correct side of the river.  Approach from Northmoor/Stanton Harcourt, not Cumnor.  If you approach via Cumnor, the sat nav will tell you that you have reached your destination – but the river will be between you and the pub!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2017

Your Committee has already been able to fix what we hope will be an interesting and stimulating programme of meetings for next year.  If you have not yet attended a group meeting, be aware that they provide not only a chance to hear a guest speaker but also plenty of time to meet other members, discuss mutual issues and share the experience of being a patient of prostate cancer.

GROUP MEETINGS, Mondays 6.30 for 7.00 p.m. at Oxford Golf Club, Hill Top Road - 2017

23 January with Julie Binnee, lead urology nurse at the Churchill;

13 March AGM with consultants Simon Brewster and Andrew Protheroe;

24 April with physiotherapist Jane Newman;

12 June, programme tbc;

11 September on clinical trials with Nikki Hayward, Senior Nurse, Research and Engagement, CRUK;

16 October, programme tbc. 

SOCIAL EVENTS: Sunday 25 June, river cruise from Wallingford;

Saturday 9 December skittles evening.

Volunteers are always needed to help at AWARENESS EVENTS including 4 March at Oxford United FC; 26 June Cassington Bike Night; 22 July Witney Vintage Steam Fair; 27 August Uffington White Horse Fair.  These events are our main opportunity to spread our message to the public – GET CHECKED!  We need volunteers who can help for an hour or two handing out leaflets and engaging people in conversation.  Please let us know any dates when you can help.

NEXT EVENT: Oxford United’s home match on Saturday 4 March.  To cover the area we need a larger group of volunteers than usual, up to 16 people.  There’s usually a free ticket to the match for those who help out.  This is primarily a fund raising event jointly with PCUK.  Please mark the date and come along if you can – but let us know beforehand.

TO PSA OR NOT TO PSA?

A new report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges includes the PSA test as one of 40 medical treatments that may be unnecessary for many men. But Prostate Cancer UK makes clear that the test is still the best first step for diagnosis of prostate cancer, until we develop a more robust test suitable for a screening programme.  OPCSG agrees with this statement from PCUK: ‘Until we have a test that can enable effective risk-based screening, the PSA test is the best first step towards a diagnosis of the disease. It is our view that all men over 50 should be entitled to a PSA test if they want one, and should never be turned away if they still wish to have one after discussing the pros and cons with a doctor. We also suggest that healthcare professionals discuss the test with men from the age of 45 if they are at higher risk due to being of Black ethnicity or having a family history of the disease.’

COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED FOR 2017

At the AGM next March we shall be needing to fill at least three vacancies on the Committee.  We hope to have filled the vital role of Secretary, but there are not enough of us to carry out all the tasks without further help.  If you are able to contribute to the planning and decision making of the group, as well as running events, we are eager to hear from you.  To get an idea of what is involved, you’d be welcome to attend a Committee meeting before March.  Please contact me or talk to a Committee member to find out what is involved.  Without new volunteers the scope of the Group’s work will need to be reduced.

REPORT ON GROUP MEETING 17 OCTOBER – INCONTINENCE ISSUES

Amanda Holdstock from Coloplast talked about incontinence issues and the use of the “alternative to pads” Conveen Sheaths, which she demonstrated with a light touch on a delicate issue.  The sheaths, which are discreet and safe to use, are suitable for men with a slightly larger urinary leakage.  Amanda’s straightforward approach explained that they can be helpful for some men with urinary control problems, but not necessarily for all men.  Her open approach to the subject generated plenty of questions and discussion, and we are grateful to her for giving up her time to talk to us.  Amanda is happy to respond to any further questions – let me know if you would like to be put in touch with her.

WHO GUESSED THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR?

During the summer OPCSG ran a ‘Guess the weight of the car’ competition at various events that we attended to raise awareness of prostate cancer. The many entries have now been assessed, and the lucky winner of the radio controlled model truck is Norman Dale from High Wycombe, who guessed the weight of the car at the Wallingford Car Rally on 8 May.  Second prize went to Lisa Graig from Witney, who made her guess at Witney Carnival on 9 July, and as a result will be taking her son to see Oxford United play at home.  Third prize, a £20 Voucher for Frankie & Bennies, went to Margaret Morgan from North Newington near Banbury, who guessed at Banbury Canal Day on 2 October.  Congratulations to them all, and thanks to everyone who took part and helped to raise additional funds for the group, and to the organisations that kindly donated the prizes.

RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR BLACK AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN MEN

We mentioned this research project in the October Newsletter.  However we gave an incorrect phone number.  The correct contact details are as follows.  Any African Caribbean men who have had prostate cancer and would like to contribute to the research are invited to contact Olufikayo Bamidele, Ulster University, Tel: 07405 737641 Email: Bamidele-O@email.ulster.ac.uk.

If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter please let me know on johngrundy191@gmail.com or 01865 730110.  For news updates keep an eye on our website at www.opcsg.org.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS!

John Grundy                                                                          Chairman, OPCSG