A free prostate cancer awareness evening is being organised in Stone this October, giving men, their partners and families an opportunity to learn more about the condition and ask questions.
The event will take place at St Dominic’s Social Centre on Station Road on Thursday 22 October, with doors opening at 7.15pm ahead of a 7.30pm start.
Organisers have stressed that this is not a prostate cancer testing event.
Instead, the evening will focus on information and awareness, including signs and symptoms, treatment and medication, and the experiences of people who have been affected by prostate cancer.
Mark Seaton from the Stafford & Surrounds Prostate Cancer Support Group is due to take part alongside theatre practitioner Eve Richards and other healthcare professionals, with support from Stone Lions.
There will be talks followed by an opportunity to ask questions. Private areas will also be available during the break and afterwards for people who would prefer to discuss concerns, treatment options or other questions away from the main room.
Partners, wives and other family members are particularly encouraged to attend, with organisers keen for those supporting somebody with prostate cancer to have an opportunity to understand more about the condition and its treatment.
PSA testing event taking place in Stoke before Stone evening
Anyone looking for a PSA test before the Stone awareness evening also has an opportunity to attend a separate event in Stoke on Thursday 24 September.
The Stoke Lions PSA Testing Event will take place at Stoke City Football Club on Stanley Matthews Way from 6pm to 9pm. The event is listed by the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, which operates the My PSA Tests service, and advance booking is available.
The organisers of the Stone event say they hope the October evening will also be useful to people who attend the Stoke testing session and subsequently want more information, a chance to ask questions or further support.
The two events are separate, with no PSA testing being carried out at St Dominic’s in October.
The Stone evening also follows a Stone Lions PSA testing event at the Stone House Hotel in March, which the organiser says was attended by 493 people.
The response to that event helped prompt discussions about providing further prostate cancer information and support in Stone.
Information will also be available ahead of Stone Lions’ next planned PSA event in 2027.
If there is sufficient interest, those behind the October evening hope it could eventually lead to a regular drop in session in Stone for people who would benefit from information, conversation or peer support.
The awareness evening is free and open to everyone, although organisers are asking people to confirm their attendance as the upstairs ballroom has capacity for around 120 people.
Lift access is available. There is street parking nearby, with Christchurch Way car park around 200 yards from the venue.
The bar will be open and hot drinks will also be available to buy.
Anyone planning to attend the Stone awareness evening should email mcleods@live.co.uk to confirm their place.
More information about prostate cancer, including possible symptoms and when to speak to a GP, is available on the NHS website. NHS information about prostate cancer symptoms
