Prostate Cancer Support Group of Oakville/Mississauga hosting information evening
“Most men don’t find it easy talking about the various parts of their bodies and particularly the most intimate parts of their bodies. And, yet, this group does exactly that," Mervyn Russell.
The Prostate Cancer Support Group of Oakville/Mississauga (PCSGOM) is a peer-led community group for men living with, and healing from, prostate cancer.
The group is open to both men and their partners residing across Halton Region and Peel.
“It’s a surprising group in so far as most men don’t find it easy talking about the various parts of their bodies and particularly the most intimate parts of their bodies. And, yet, this group does exactly that,” PCSGOM member Mervyn Russell told Small Change during a recent interview.
“Sometimes people break down. It’s a pretty impressive group experience,” Russell added.
Under the guidance of Coordinator Walter Eadie, the group decided to host an event promoting the importance of men knowing their current prostate status and using that as a baseline for determining their future prostate health.
That’s why PCSGOM is hosting a free public information meeting on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:30 pm. at St. Jude’s Anglican Church in Oakville.
Prostate cancer affects both urinary and sexual functions. The impact on sexual intimacy is a discussion that really needs to include the voices of partners. Russell also found that inviting partners is crucial because it’s quite likely they will take more interest in the information that’s available. So, partners are welcome.
At the event, Eadie will facilitate a video presentation discussing prostate cancer symptoms; using a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to establish a base line risk for prostate cancer; when a referral to a urologist is needed; and when a biopsy is required as well as the types of treatments currently available.
Men of African or Caribbean ancestry and men with a family history of prostate cancer should begin PSA testing at 45 years of age while most other men can wait until 50 years of age.
“Prostate cancer is the cancer that will affect more men than any other – with perhaps the exception of skin cancer. And, the older you get, the more likely you are to have prostate cancer,” Russell shared.
Russell, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 82 years of age, was exhibiting no symptoms at the time. Since then, a member of his extended family was diagnosed with prostrate cancer at 60 years of age emphasizing the role genetics plays in this disease.
It’s important to remember, that prostate cancer, like any other cancer, can migrate from the prostate to set up secondary sites throughout the body.
These new sites are filled with prostate cancer cells which are distinct from other kinds of cancer cells. However, these new sites can prove to be even more life threatening. That’s why it’s essential to begin treatment as soon as prostate cancer is detected.
Treatments including surgery, internal as well as external radiation, chemotherapy, and combinations of these therapies will be part of the discussion.
Russell maintains that an individualized prostate cancer treatment plan should be designed after in-depth discussions with a urologist and/or oncologist – a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer.
That is essential because each man needs to decide what he’s comfortable with and what suits his lifestyle best. Additionally, the specialists will make it clear which treatment(s) will most likely bring about the best outcome in each individual case.
“Each person is an individual and that is very important to stress. Men need to decide what they are most comfortable with knowing what’s involved and what the consequences will be. And, if there’s a partner, to have that discussion and make that decision with,” Russell stated.
The October meeting will include an opportunity for questions and discussions.
“What we find in the support group is that from the medical professionals you’ll hear about the treatment, but what you lean from men who have been through it is their experience of how they coped with it on a day-by-day basis. In the support group you get a variety of experiences to see what may occur,” Russell said.
The PCSGOM is also inviting men to join their ongoing monthly meetings. While many of these meetings are in-person, the group does shift to online zoom meetings when they have an expert speaker who would benefit from reaching a wider audience.
In-person meetings are less formal allowing more of an opportunity to share. These meetings are held at 7 PM. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Wellspring Centre in Oakville.
PCSGOM is also hoping to paint significant buildings and landmarks light blue during November to improve public awareness of prostate cancer.
Movember is a worldwide movement that challenges men to grow moustaches during November to raise awareness and donations to fund research into men’s prostate and testicular cancer as well as men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
In fact, thousands of men worldwide – including here in Canada – will be part of a trial testing the Prostate Screening Box. This home test kit is expected to revolutionize diagnosis of prostate cancer. The research for the kit was funded by Movember.
Russell suggests those wanting more information check out Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada. This website is a wellspring of excellent information and webinars featuring top researchers and clinicians discussing diagnosis, treatment, managing anxiety and difficult emotions, as well as life after prostate cancer.
For more information email Mervyn Russell at mervynrussell1003@gmail.com