Man diagnosed with prostate cancer sets up support group in Bradford

The group, set up by retired police officer Craig Ward, has been highlighted in the winter edition of the Yorkshire Cancer Community newsletter.

The Green Prostate Cancer Support Group meets on a fortnightly basis at 7pm (the first Wednesday and the third Wednesday of the month) at The Idle Draper, 28 The Green, Idle, Bradford BD10 9PX.

Craig was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2021, which resulted in him having his prostate removed the same month. He said: "This diagnosis came out of nowhere. I only attended at my doctor’s for a regular blood test after just one symptom which led to my doctor referring me to a Urology Consultant. Then after an MRI and biopsy, I was given the news.

"Devastated was an understatement, why me? How did I get it? The questions go on and on. I have since come out of the 'dark' place and I have found that you can get back up and continue with your life with only a few changes...with help from others who have been there and got the T-shirt.

"Why have asked for this to be publicised? Well I made enquiries in order to receive counselling but discovered that there wasn't any specific counselling for prostate cancer. There were trained counsellors but they had not gone through the trauma that I had gone through which wasn’t good enough for me. This is a 'taboo' subject amongst men and they/I won't just speak to anybody about it. Men know what I'm talking about.

"So after advice and liaison with my local charity Cancer Support Yorkshire, I have been given the go-ahead to facilitate my own prostate cancer group specifically for prostate cancer patients.

"So if you have any questions or fears, believe that you may have symptoms, already diagnosed, pre-op or post-op, come along and meet people who have all experienced this cancer in some form or another and share your concerns, doubts and experiences.

"We’re an open group of people and although it’s a difficult subject, we always manage to end up laughing. I’m definitely getting something out of this and I hope the other members are too."

Yorkshire Cancer Community provides impartial, independent information and listening to those affected by cancer to ensure that they are supported and their voices elevated, by linking together people and professionals to get the best out of cancer services.