By Esther Lauaki
Talking about prostate cancer need not be awkward.
That’s why the Melton-based Melmarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group was started 10 years ago and is still going strong.
Grenville Kerton, who has been a long-time participant, said the group aimed to dispel any apprehension men might have in talking about the illness.
“The group started because a couple of men in the community decided they wanted to help other men who were suffering with prostate cancer,” Mr Kerton said.
“We don’t give them medical advice … we just encourage them and support them and show them what types of treatments other men have gone through.
“Most of all, the group is here to make men aware that they need to get tested.
“It’s about early detection and that means that people can be monitored – it’s not a death sentence if it’s caught early.”
Rhonda Weir tagged along with her husband, Alex, when he was diagnosed about six years ago in the hope he would open up about his illness.
“He just didn’t want to talk about it to anybody,” Mrs Weir said. “I saw a notice in the local paper about the group and we went along.
“I don’t know whether he was embarrassed about it, but he wouldn’t even talk to his sons.”
In a cruel turn of events, Alex suffered a stroke in 2014, but persisted with radiation therapy to fight the cancer.
Ms Weir said the support group helped Alex to stay positive.
“The group was very supportive and it helped him to eventually speak to his sons about it and his colleagues about what he was going through,” she said. “We’ve belonged ever since.”
The Melmarsh Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Melton Library and Learning Hub on the first Thursday of every month from 7-8.30pm.
