From The Editor

Hello everyone, I introduce myself as the editor of this edition of the Magazine. As I start to write this in preparation for publication in March 2010, we have the first snow of the New Year which takes my thoughts back into the old year and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Monday 14th. December in St. Mary’s Church. What an excellent evening that was, the singing was good, not to mention the Mince Pies and Sherry etc, afterwards. But firstly a word of thanks to all who took part, especially those who ‘volunteered’ to read a Lesson, and to Margaret Peters who sang so beautifully as usual. I’m always on tenterhooks when I have organised something in case someone doesn’t turn up on the night, but everyone obliged! From the comments of so many afterwards, I’m sure this will be an ongoing format for the Service in the future.

At the Committee Meeting in January, a comment was passed that all the articles in the December 2009 issue of the Supporter were written by the Committee members. We struggled to fill the pages of that edition and in future may have to consider reducing the magazine by one set of 4 pages. Obviously as Editors we can only print what copy we are given and we would dearly love to have more items to print and keep the Supporter to its usual size of 12 pages. Therefore I invite you as a supporter to let us have any interesting items for the next issue. Obviously, we shall have to retain the right to refuse anything which we deem to be unsuitable and to edit out ‘mistakes’ or wrong information. I would inform you that the final date for articles in the June edition will be end of May with copy to be sent to either myself or Mary.

Finally, Dorothy has decided to ‘retire’ as joint Editor and you may not have been aware that she had held that position for most of the last five years. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking her for all her hard work in producing alternative editions of the Supporter over that period of time.

Michael J Massey

Out on a Limb...... Know the Feeling

From the Governor

My first article for “Supporter” in 2010 comes with many promising features for the year. Much is going on in the world of Prostate Cancer research and we look forward to new and more specific diagnostic tests, new and more affective drugs and more research into the causes of this disease. Much research is being done at a genetic level and this is likely to throw more light on the cause of Prostate Cancer and may also help at a diagnostic and therapeutic level. In the meantime the blood test for P.S.A. level remains the mainstay as an indicator of early prostate disease with radiotherapy, surgery and hormone manipulation as the most usual treatments.

At the last meeting of the Federation of Prostate Cancer Support Groups we were able to discuss future developments following “The Great P.S.A. Debate” at the Leamington Spa meeting last November. Education and Awareness seem to be key features. My colleague Urological Surgeons need to hold back on radical treatments when low-grade tumours could be easily treated by active surveillance. General Practitioners need to be advised that men wanting to look after their health with a blood test for P.S.A. should be encouraged to do so and not be told to “wait until you have symptoms”. It has not been uncommon in my experience that the first symptom can be paraplegia or a fractured hip as a result of a secondary tumour in the spine or femur. When symptoms arise the disease has not infrequently reached an incurable stage. Men need to be educated to be aware of their health and at the age of 50 (or 45 if there is a family history) seek a blood test for P.S.A. and this could be encouraged with a National Screening Programme.

The Federation are now at an early stage of planning for a pilot study using a programme which can be installed on a General Practitioner’s computer. By asking a few questions and arranging a blood test for P.S.A. the programme would give a % likelihood of a man having Prostate Cancer. In addition to the blood test for P.S.A. the programme also requires P.S.A. to be measured in two fractions which will then give a Free / Total ratio. It is believed this supplementary test gives a greater indication of disease especially with borderline P.S.A. levels. Unfortunately not many laboratories do this supplementary test although all men with borderline results who have been tested at The Town Hall are privileged to have been tested in this way. In consequence we now have one of the largest series of Free / Total P.S.A. results in the country. As the Medical Adviser to the Federation I will be working with Dr Chris Parker, a leading oncologist at The Royal Marsden Hospital, Prof. Ken Muir, professor of epidemiology at Warwick University and members of the Federation to see if we can set up such a study which would help to educate General Practitioners and increase awareness among men. There are potentially many hurdles in our way and the study is at an embryonic stage but I will keep you informed of developments. At a more local level I think we can expect more innovative advances this year. The Buddy scheme is now well established and working to help men in the early stages of treatment for Prostate Cancer. We have recently spent a day at a “Think Tank” at which we discussed the way ahead for our charity. Although it is acknowledged that we are probably the country’s leaders in offering men awareness and a blood test for P.S.A. it is also acknowledged that we could be doing better with “Support” and “Care” of our members. I believe there is a full report about the “Think Tank” elsewhere in this issue. We may be looking for volunteers with these initiatives so, if you think you can help, please let us know. We also have a full programme for the year and again I will look forward to meeting as many as possible of our members at forthcoming meetings. Best wishes, with a blood test for P.S.A. should be encouraged to do so and not be told to “wait until you have symptoms”. It has not been uncommon in my experience that the first symptom can be paraplegia or a fractured hip as a result of a secondary tumour in the spine or femur. When symptoms arise the disease has not infrequently reached an incurable stage. Men need to be educated to be aware of their health and at the age of 50 (or 45 if there is a family history) seek a blood test for P.S.A. and this could be encouraged with a National Screening Programme.

The Federation are now at an early stage of planning for a pilot study using a programme which can be installed on a General Practitioner’s computer. By asking a few questions and arranging a blood test for P.S.A. the programme would give a % likelihood of a man having Prostate Cancer. In addition to the blood test for P.S.A. the programme also requires P.S.A. to be measured in two fractions which will then give a Free / Total ratio. It is believed this supplementary test gives a greater indication of disease especially with borderline P.S.A. levels. Unfortunately not many laboratories do this supplementary test although all men with borderline results who have been tested at The Town Hall are privileged to have been tested in this way. In consequence we now have one of the largest series of Free / Total P.S.A. results in the country. As the Medical Adviser to the Federation I will be working with Dr Chris Parker, a leading oncologist at The Royal Marsden Hospital, Prof. Ken Muir, professor of epidemiology at Warwick University and members of the Federation to see if we can set up such a study which would help to educate General Practitioners and increase awareness among men. There are potentially many hurdles in our way and the study is at an embryonic stage but I will keep you informed of developments.

At a more local level I think we can expect more innovative advances this year. The Buddy scheme is now well established and working to help men in the early stages of treatment for Prostate Cancer. We have recently spent a day at a “Think Tank” at which we discussed the way ahead for our charity. Although it is acknowledged that we are probably the country’s leaders in offering men awareness and a blood test for P.S.A. it is also acknowledged that we could be doing better with “Support” and “Care” of our members. I believe there is a full report about the “Think Tank” elsewhere in this issue. We may be looking for volunteers with these initiatives so, if you think you can help, please let us know.

We also have a full programme for the year and again I will look forward to meeting as many as possible of our members at forthcoming meetings.

THE WAY AHEAD.

On Friday 29th. January your Committee along with several Group members spent the day at theWorcester Warriors Rugby Club,Sixways. Now before anyone jumpsto the conclusion that we were allracing up and down the field carryinga ‘funny shapedball’ - NO WAY!!!A most enjoyable and may I sayworthwhile working day was spentdiscussing the way ahead to benefitthe Prostate Group members. PaulBrothwell introduced everyone andgave his aims and aspects on what isimportantandwhat people couldcontribute. Colin Tomkinsonelaborated and told the gathering ofsome of his ideas, andafterwardswe split into three sections in the‘boxes’ provided at the Club. Manyaspects of the Groups aims were covered ranging from advice and assistance, and the social andsupportive roles to Members.  After lunch, we all reassembled in the larger room to bring together the contributions of the three sections and there were many! No doubt elsewhere in the Magazine you will find that others have enlarged on the conclusions reached. It was interesting to find how the three groups had similar aims and hopes for the future. I am sure this venture will in time, result in many improvements in the support of our members.

Your committee

has of late been very aware that the group was not fulfilling all of the aims and objects as stated in our constitution and agreed by the Charity Commission, in particular with reference to our caring and support of members. Being very vocal on the subject, I was charged with arranging a ‘Think Tank’ aimed at full discussion of all our current activities. At our AGM in January, your Chairman Paul asked me to speak on the subject and we invited non committee members to join us so that we also had ground root opinions. Atotal of twelve of the committee and an equal number of other volunteer members met at Worcester Warriors, Sixways, at the end of January where we were hosted by them free of charge in their excellent stadium. (If you haven’t visited it recently it has to be high on your priority list to do so! We will be doing a PSA testing session there on 27th March when the Warriors play Leicester Tigers – should be a great day.) We split into three groups and after some lively discussions, reassembled into one large group for the presentations from each, where it was very interesting to find that there were many common views forthcoming. It was obvious that all of these were of such importance that they needed closer examination and to this end  we have now arranged sub committees to discuss items in detail and to make recommendations to the main committee for acceptance and implementation in the future. We will keep you posted in the Supporter as future policy develops, but if you have any strong feelings that you wish to express for consideration please send them to me at PCSG, PO. Box 3854, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY11 5WP

In June 2001 my Husband, John Greaves, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer – at this time the Prostate Cancer Support Group was just getting started so with a bit of persuasion, my Husband and I attended the meeting at the Town Hall, Kidd, - we attended every meeting when possible. I also attended the first Coffee morning which Mary Symons arranged and tried to support the Group by making cakes, mince pies, Bring & Buy etc. John also did a sponsored walk. John had Radiotherapy at Wolverhampton New Cross Hospital for 4 weeks and all was fine for 5 years after which time he developed Bladder Cancer - All was not too bad until May 7th. 2009 when John started to have trouble with water works. We had to fly home early from our Holiday as John was not very well – then tests - Redditch Hospital for an operation and now have permanent catheter and terminal Prostate Cancer which has devastated all the Family and friends.

I wanted to write this letter as we are very disappointed with the lack of support from the Prostate Group. I would have thought that perhaps someone would have asked how he was or maybe a little card to say he was being thought of – it would have been appreciated by both of us especially as John has been a member for 8 years but obviously that isn’t the case. He has been very poorly but we are fortunate to be blessed with an excellent and caring family and some wonderful friends who will all help at any time Night or Day. Makes me wonder what the slogan “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” actually means.

Josephine Greaves.

As a result of the Way Ahead ‘Away Day’, your main Committee has already agreed to form three working Sub-Committees to look at the following areas of our work, as follows: 1. Members / Membership, 2. Care and 3. PSA Testing. Each of the three Sub-Committees will be comprised of 4 committee members and 1 additional supporter member. Each Sub-Committee will probably have held their first meetings by the time you read this and the object will be deal with the most important aspect raised at the Way Ahead gathering and to advise the main Committee on the way forward and for them to make a final decision. It is not envisaged that these Sub-Committees will deal with all the matters raised at one meeting, so these Sub-Committees are likely to meet on a monthly basis for some while yet, and to each bring forward one suggestion per month until all matters have been successfully explored and recommendations made.

“To err is human, but it takes a

computer to really foul things up.”

“Life is not measured by the number of

breathes we take, but by the moments

that take our breath away.”

Compared with previous years, we seem to be making up for the mild winters we have had over the last two or three years. The snow always looks pretty on Christmas cards but in reality it is not always as pleasant as it looks. I think many of us found it quite a shock to wake up to snow on several mornings recently. During the first snow fall, I know that many people were unable to get their cars out of the drive (myself included) but at least I managed to walk to the local shops. Maybe this is the sign of a good summer? For those of you who managed to attend the AGM in January, you will have heard my last Widows Group report now that I have given up being Chairman (person) of this Group. I had been Chair of the Group since its formation in March 2003 and I felt that the Group needed a change of direction. This does not alter in any way my position on the Committee. It has been a very interesting time, seeing the Group grow and in particular their involvement in developing the PSA testing at various venues and the social events the Group arrange. Because of other committees which I am on, I am not always able to attend every function, but am still heavily involved with our Group under its new Chair.

DAY OUT: On Tuesday May 11th we are doing something slightly different which I hope you will enjoy. I have arranged for us to go to the Countdown Studio in Manchester and to see them produce three afternoon shows. We shall leave Blakebrook (roughly opposite Kidderminster Hospital) at 8 am so that this will allow time for shopping in Manchester (a very nice enclosed shopping area) and time for you to get some lunch before we move on to the Studios for 1 pm. We shall leave immediately after the recordings at approx 6.30 pm and come direct to Kidderminster arriving at around 8.30 / 9 pm.

Places can be booked by ringing me on 01562 60558 and I shall require a non returnable deposit of £5 per person, with Cheques which should be made payable to The Prostate Cancer Support Group and sent to PO Box 3854, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 5WP.

AGM
KIDDERMINSTER TOWN HALL
JANUARY 18th 2010

Paul Brothwell, our Chairman opened the meeting to a reasonable number of members (but maybe not as many as hoped for). The usual formalities took place and the Committee Members were voted for and re-elected en bloc. Veronica Askin had decided not to continue and Margaret Peters was elected as a Co-opted member in her place. Paul Brothwell thanked everyone for their continued support, with a special mention that DBS had received an award as the “Worcestershire Person of the Year” in a presentation made by Michael Brinton, Lord Lieutenant of the County. Mary Symons had worked very hard in setting up the Buddies Scheme which seems to be gathering pace, and John Banner, our Secretary continued to put in a lot of valuable work. DBS gave his annual report saying the Committee pulled well together although with a few disputes, but with a well oiled and well run order of events. Our Widows group were thanked, and also Dr. Barry Davis (in Cyprus) for continuing to maintain our Web Site. We are now in our 10th Year as a group and over this ime 3476 men have had PSA tests with 70 being diagnosed positive. Frank Carter (Treasurer), John Banner (Secretary) and Barbara Pugh (Widows group) all gave their reports and provided us with their own bits of information. Colin Tomkinson was invited to brief the audience about the concerns of the way ahead when the group first got together, 2001, with an aim to try and support members who were diagnosed with PC and how we planned for a get together at the Warriors Rugby Club Ground, Sixways, Worcester, on the 29th. January, when we hoped to thrash out some of the worries and problems facing the group regarding support of our membership. Mary Symons spoke about the Buddies scheme, and then the Chairman asked for questions from the floor. David Morgan joined us to give an Organ recital which included Bramwell Coles “Into the Firing Line” which was a very rousing march. On speaking to him later and making an exhibition of myself by tripping and falling onto the Organ, (most embarrassing), he told me that he had studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire for the piano but later decided to take up the organ. He remarked that the one in the Kidderminster Town Hall is 150 years old and people come from all around the world to play it. Refreshments were taken and on speaking to some new members, it was again remarked on how friendly everyone was.

JOS

For the regularly updated calendar of events on the website go to the Diary / Events page below

by Great Witley Operatic Society and Bromyard and District Operatic Society
Performing a mixture of choral and light operatic songs

at 7.00 pm in Kidderminster Town Hall

In aid of Kidderminster & District Prostate Cancer Support Group

Wednesday 23rd June 2010

in aid of Kidderminster & District Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Raffle and bring & buy.

Sponsored Marathons

Yes, that’s right plural! George Sterry–Macdonald is running the London Marathon on 25th April and the Edinburgh Marathon on 23rd May.

Inspired by his Grandfather Lawrence Warwick who is a member of our group, George is donating any money he raises to us (he raised £400 for us in 2008)

 Anyone who is willing to sponsor George can contact him on 077 34 266 028. Sponsor forms may also be available at the Town Hall meeting on the 19th. April.

Please sponsor him if you can.

Bewdley Pines Golf Club
CHARITY DAY

Saturday 3rd. July 2010

In support of the Noah's Arc Trust
and the Prostate Cancer Support Group

The following is not included just to make you smile, but is really a worthwhile pieceof advice and you are asked to consider each line and apply it to your everyday attitude towards life.    ............Editor.

NOAH’S ARK: Almost all that we need toknow about life is from Noah’s Ark.

1. Do not miss the boat.

2. Remember we are all in the sameboat.

3. Plan ahead. It was not raining whenNoah built the Ark.

4. Stay fit. When you are 600 yearsold someone may ask you to do something BIG.

5. Do not listen to critics. Just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6. Build your future on high ground.

7. For safety, go around in pairs.

8. Speed is not always an advantage. Snails were on board with cheetahs.

9. When you are stressed, float awhile,

10.Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by    professionals.

11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there is always a rainbow somewhere around.