Three events planned by prostate support group

Llangollen Prostate Support Group has a number of awareness events scheduled over the next few weeks.

On Thursday, April 3, the Man Van, a large touring display and information unit will be parked in Market Street car park from 10am-4pm. 

It has an all-male staff and can be viewed as well as used to provide literature and advice. 

There will be entertainment available at some points in the day, members of the support group will be there to talk informally about their own experiences of prostate conditions, both malign and benign, and a wide range of local businesses and organisations have been invited to see the facility. 

Funding is joint from Tenovus, ProstateCancerUK  and Macmillans Cancer Support.

Support group organiser Mike Law says the event should be of use to local employers, who have male workers, as well as to men in their late forties and beyond.

On Wednesday, April 9, at the Hand Hotel, at 7.30pm, there will be an event specifically to answer the three basic questions about prostate problems – where is the prostate; how do I know that I have a problem; if I have, what treatment do I need? 

The first part of the evening will be a presentation by a special team from Mawddach Rotary Club, based on the experiences of members who have had prostate cancer. 

The second part will be an informal discussion in which members of the support group talk about their experiences and try to answer questions about procedures and treatments. 

All who attend will be offered a free glass of wine and savouries.

Finally, on Wednesday, April 16, again in the Hand Hotel, but at 2pm., in the Lounge, the support group will hold its usual monthly meeting. 

Guest speaker will be Sandie Jones, Head Urology Nurse from the Maelor Hospital. 

Mike Law added: "Tea and coffee will be provided and everyone is welcome to what may prove to be a very valuable session."

* Giving his support to the Man Van's visit to Llangollen, Clwyd South Assembly Member ken Skates said: "The Man Van is a converted 38ft American-style motorhome which will travel to deprived and hard-to-reach areas across Wales to help men living with, and affected by, prostate and testicular cancer by offering counselling, group support and welfare rights advice.

“Almost 3,000 men are diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer every year in Wales. As Wales’ leading cancer charity, Tenovus has years of experience delivering cancer care to the heart of communities and supporting people affected by cancer, whenever and wherever they need it most.

“The Man Van will be operated along with Prostate Cancer UK and will visit every local authority area in Wales, and will mark the beginning of a new era of cancer care. The charity has identified that men aren’t always comfortable talking about their worries, so has designed a place specifically with them in mind.

“I would urge men in Clwyd South to book an appointment for when the Man Van comes to Llangollen. I understand there will be more North Wales dates in the summer, but for now this is the only one in our area so I would expect the slots to full up quickly.”

To book an appointment, text MANVAN to 66777, call 0808 8081010 or visit www.tenovus.org.uk/manvan