4:00pm Saturday 20th March 2010
By Lucy Pearce
A CANCER sufferer is looking to set up a support group in aid of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Barry Newman, 64, from Weymouth, was diagnosed with prostate cancer more than a decade ago and he is now being treated for the illness.
The grandfather of two said he felt ‘isolated’ and ‘unaware of who to talk to’ when he was diagnosed and that setting up a support group could offer some comfort to other men who find themselves in a similar position.
He said he felt it was appropriate to set up the group during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Mr Newman, of Buddleia Close, was diagnosed following an examination for a different problem and was advised to have a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening test.
After Mr Newman’s results indicated that there was a risk of prostate cancer, a biopsy followed which led to his diagnosis.
He said: “I didn’t even know what PSA stood for when I was told to have the test and I didn’t even know where or what my prostate was or did.
“My PSA came back at 28.6 and I was told that anything above four should be investigated further.
“After I was diagnosed I had radiotherapy treatment and as a result my PSA dropped and I thought that I had been cured.
“Years went by where I thought I was fine but then in 2008 my PSA rose again and I have been on treatment ever since.
“My battle with prostate cancer has been up and down but maybe if there was a support group that I could have attended things might have been easier. Men generally do not like to talk about their problems but when you are told you have got any sort of cancer, it comes as quite a shock and it’s something that needs to be talked about.
“My wife has been brilliant but for those men that don’t have that support network a ‘get together’ group could really help.
“Having a Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a positive idea but a quarterly support group would be a long-term solution.”
If you are interested in attending a ‘get together’ group contact Mr Newman on 01305 834064 or email k-newman@hotmail.co.uk
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