Get Checked Out! Macmillan Cancer Support at Stow

“GET CHECKED OUT”

 “Macmillan Cancer Support - Helping Men to Better Health In the Traveller Community-  GET CHECKED OUT!!

 At Stow Fair staff on the Macmillan Big Green bus  saw over 200 men to give advice and help about spotting the signs of common male cancers, such as prostate, testicular, lung and bowel and were able to support many men in the community who currently have cancer.

 Walking round the fair we met many men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men.

 Helen Kennedy, Lead Cancer Information and Support Specialist said:

 “One gentleman told me when he was diagnosed with prostate Cancer, he was very frightened because his wife had died from cancer.  But he went to hospital and shortly had an operation and some radiotherapy treatment. He saw a Macmillan Nurse who he said was there with him to help and support him really well all the way through his treatment. Now he just has monthly injections and a regular check up from the GP.” He said his message to other men would be:

 “At the first sign of something being not quite right:

- go and see the doctor or walk in centre

- Try not to be frightened- contact Macmillan Cancer Support for help and advice

-Talk about it!”

 Another gentleman came to see the team, saying he’d had a persistent cough, and didn’t want his family to know and didn’t know what to do next- the Macmillan team advised him that this could be a symptom of lung cancer and that he should go and get a chest x ray and get checked out with a GP- as he wasn’t registered with one, but he could go to the walk-in centre or urgent care centre. He said he felt better that he had talked about his worry and could do something about it.

 One younger man told the team that he was worried when he found lumps on his testicles, but a visit to the doctor revealed that they were cysts and could be easily removed. His message was clear- GET CHECKED OUT IF YOU THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG – DONT LEAVE IT.

 Last time at Stow, the team talked to a mum  who’s 23 year old son had just died of testicular cancer- her message to young men was “ don’t be embarrassed go and tell the doctor if you notice anything- my son could have survived if he had.”

 Macmillan Cancer Support provide free emotional, financial and practical support to people affected by cancer- you can phone them for free on 0808 80-8 0000

 The Macmillan bus will be at Appleby Fair in June next year- pop in for a confidential chat and advice.

 Prostate Cancer- Signs to look out for

 Problems passing Urine

Getting up in the night to wee more often

Blood in the urine

Your GP/ walk in centre can do an examination and/or blood test to diagnose this.

 Testicular Cancer

 Unusual lump or swelling of the testicle