[A] prostate cancer survivor has set up a new support group for men and their friends and relatives in South Cumbria.
The South Lakes Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at CancerCare’s Lakes Centre on Blackhall Road in Kendal from 9.30am to noon on the first Friday of every month.
Den Bray, who has set up the new group, said he wanted it to provide a friendly place where anyone impacted by prostate cancer could find support. The group is also for family members and friends of men affected by prostate cancer.
Den has run a similar group at CancerCare in Lancaster for several years and it has proved to be a great success.
Den said: “When you are first diagnosed all you hear is ‘cancer’. Everything else goes out of your mind. You think you’re going to die. However, life goes on.
“Our new South Lakes group’s main reason for being is to spread awareness and we will talk to anyone who needs us.
“At our monthly meetings we usually have a speaker and then we just have a chat over tea. It’s very informal.”
When Den was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005 he needed to have a radical prostatectomy (the surgical removal or all or part of the prostate gland).
He said: “It was a great relief when the operation was over.
“I don’t have cancer now. I have a PSA test (a blood test that can help diagnose prostate problems) every six months to keep a check on it. I’ve had no health issues at all. Everyone is different.”
He said people go along to the South Lakes group meetings for many different reasons.
He explained: “Whether it’s a radical prostatectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone treatment or some other treatment that they are going through, we’ve known someone who has had that treatment.
“There are so many different treatments nowadays. We can reassure patients and their partners because it affects the relationships within the family. We can help them to get through it.”
For more information on the South Lakes Prostate Cancer Support Group, or if you would like Den to come and talk to you or your groups please contact Den Bray on 07989 232 039, email denbray@hotmail.com, or go to www.tbpcsg.org
Information and support is also available on the CancerCare website www.cancercare.org.uk or email tct@cancercare.org.uk
