More details of PC...
Prostate Cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and numbers are rising each year. Men aged 40 onwards are at risk. www.hammersmithresearch.com.
How many?
30,000 men are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in the UK every year. Prostate Cancer statistics show that 10,000 die from the disease, many not being diagnosed early enough.
Famous Sufferers...
Frank Zappa (died 1993), Major Ferguson (died 2006), Sir Julian Critchley (died 2000)
Who's at risk?
Regular health checks are advised and request for a PSA test should be included. Ask you GP for details and look out for the advertised Awareness Weeks in the press and TV. www.prostate-cancer.co.uk
Have I got PC?
As there are often no signs or indications from self examination, middle aged men should ask their GP for a PSA blood test as part of their regular medical check-ups.
PSA Test
A Prostate Specific Antigen blood test will give the doctor a more positive indication of what, if any, other investigations are required.
PSA Test
www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
This appeal is made to raise awareness of this life treating disease.
The Appeal
Honorary Alderman Brian Chaplin, former Mayor of Cheltenham, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer during 2001 and considered suitable for Brachytherapy treatment. Being unable to receive this locally he was referred to a hospital over one hundred miles away.
Realising that this latest technology was unavailable in the west of England, Brian enlisted a group of professional colleagues who formed and registered the Gloucestershire Prostate Cancer (Brachytherapy Unit) Trust. This charity raises money to provide Brachytherapy treatment in the Oncology Dept. of Cheltenham General Hospital for men early diagnosed with prostate cancer and considered as suitable candidates.
The area covered by our charity now includes the adjoining counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. To further assist in this treatment, the GPCT is also funding the services of a physicist as part of the surgical team.
Brachytherapy is stated to offer advantages over other treatments that are available in America through insurance based clinics but due to financial restrictions the NHS and local primary care trusts cannot at present fund the procedure in the UK.
Primarily, the GPCT has been set the task of raising money for funding the cost of the seeds and needles as required for each operation which amounts to £3,500 per patient until the NHS finally take over the financing. To date 80+ men have received treatment and the goal is for the same number per year.
The Oncology Dept. at Cheltenham General Hospital is recognised as a Centre of Excellence for cancer treatment and is currently one of the very few centres within the UK where patients for this treatment can be referred.
It is for this reason that we ask all visitors to this website to help us continue the funding by making a donation either by post or through our secure Internet banking facility. *
By donating through this medium all subscriptions are eligible for Gift Aid tax exemption where we receive an additional amount which automatically goes directly into our bank account. All donations go directly to the benefit of patients, the Trustees and professional advisers give their time and services free of charge.
We thank you for your generosity and confirm that we will keep you informed of future social and other fund raising events - unless you specifically advise us otherwise. Details may be found by clicking on our news link.
Your support of our Charity is most appreciated. Just click on the Donate button and follow the instructions.
Thank you.
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* The secure banking service is provided by the Charities Aid Foundation, a nationally recognised organisation handling donations for many charities.
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