More help is at hand for prostate cancer sufferers

Men in West Lothian with prostate cancer have a new source of support as they navigate their diagnosis, treatment choices and the impact on their life.

Launched on Monday (September 28), a joint initiative between Prostate Scotland and Maggie’s Edinburgh offers men with prostate cancer two new ways to get support, information and help.

Men can speak to an experienced Maggie’s Cancer Support Specialist about any aspect of their diagnosis or living with prostate cancer. Appointments are available via video link or phone as well as in person (socially distanced).

Men can also join a seven-week‘Living

Well With Prostate Cancer’course – delivered via video link – when they are undergoing treatment or when treatment has finished to hear from experts about managing side effects and how to live well. The services are all free.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Scotland, with a lifetime chance of one in ten developing the condition. Unusually, prostate patients can be offered a choice of treatment options, which can be a difficult decision for some men.

This can include surgery radiotherapy, brachytherapy, hormone treatment and chemotherapy.

These new services are part of Prostate Scotland’s COMPASS (Comprehensive Prostate Support Service for Scotland) project which aims to help men across Scotland navigate prostate cancer and disease through a range of support and wellbeing services.

Andrew Anderson, head of Maggie’s Edinburgh and a former oncology nurse, who will deliver the new service says: “Finding out you have prostate cancer or living with prostate cancer can change your life. Men with prostate conditions also face critical decisions about their treatment. The new support service creates space to discuss those options in a less formal environment with someone who has specialist knowledge. It is also a place to discuss symptoms and side effects, or simply the impact that it has had on your life.”

Anderson will be assisted by Lisa Egan, a former prostate cancer research nurse and psychotherapist Peter Kravitz.

Adam Gaines, director of Prostate Scotland said:“We established COMPASS after surveying men with prostate cancer. We wanted to better understand their experiences and needs. Encouragingly most were satisfied with their medical care and treatment, but there was a clear need for more support for those living with the disease and their families. The new service with Maggie’s Edinburgh will ensure men across Lothians have somewhere to turn to for help and support with prostate cancer when they need it most.”

Men can find out more at: www. prostatescotland.org.uk/ help-and-support-for-you.

To book an appointment with a Cancer Support Specialist or to join the next course phone 0131 537 3131 or email edinburgh@maggies.org.

Interviews with Andrew Anderson, Adam Gaines, or someone who has recently been treated for prostate cancer can be arranged on request.