Men urged to become aware about prostate cancer
Posted on 9 November 2001
Major Ronald Ferguson will visit York on Thursday 15 November as part of his campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer. During his visit he will visit the University of York research team which lead work in this area and take part in a BBC Radio York phone-in programme on the subject.
Ronald Ferguson has himself been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His campaign to raise awareness of the disease has led to 17 radio broadcasts and numerous events up and down the country. His key concerns are to help men recognise the symptoms of prostate cancer and to seek medical help as early as possible.
He will appear on the Julia Booth phone-in programme on BBC Radio York between 12 noon and 1.25 pm. He will be joined by Professor Norman Maitland of the University of York, who is Britain's leading researcher into prostate cancer, Mr Mike Stower, consultant urologist at York District Hospital, and Andrew Clark, a former dentist who has had successful treatment for prostate cancer.
Notes to editors:
- Major Ronald Ferguson's campaign for better awareness of prostate cancer has elicited a huge response from the public. He is a keen advocate for a national screening programme for the disease - something which is not currently available. Major Ferguson is Patron of the Prostate Support Association.
- Norman Maitland's work in the YCR Cancer Research Unit at the University is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research. He is Chairman of the British Prostate Group and Co-ordinator of an international EU-funded network to develop gene therapy for prostate cancer. He is also an expert on cervical and oral cancers.
- Michael Stower has been consultant urologist at York District Hospital for over 13 years and is the lead clinician for urological cancer in York. He has been Chairman of the Yorkshire Urological Cancer Group for 8 years and is Treasurer of the British Prostate Group. He works closely with Professor Maitland on prostate cancer research.
- A website to support the campaign - www.psate.st - has been created by Birmingham businessman Eddie Bowcott, a long-standing friend of Ronald Ferguson. It contains a wealth of information about prostate cancer, an interactive message centre and patient case histories.
- Reporters and photographers are welcome to come and meet Ronald Ferguson, Norman Maitland, Michael Stower and Andrew Clark at Heslington Hall, University of York at 2 pm on Thursday 15 November. Refreshments will be available.