Press release -
Celebrating a year of dedicated cancer support for men in Wales
Wales’ first ManVan, a 38ft American-style motorhome converted to bring dedicated mobile cancer support to communities across Wales, is celebrating a year of supporting men and their loved ones who have been affected by cancer.
Wales’ leading cancer charity, Tenovus Cancer Care, teamed up with Prostate Cancer UK and global men’s health charity the Movember Foundation to bring the ManVan to the men of Wales in April 2014.
Since then, the ManVan has had more than 3,200 visitors and helped over 160 men who had a cancer diagnosis and went on to use the ManVan’s support services. Visitor ages ranged from those in their early 20s right through to the over-75s, and on average each supported man had five appointments as we guided them through their cancer journey. Staff on board have also helped men and their families claim benefits worth more than £300,000.
It has visited almost 100 locations across the country and travelled over 11,000 miles, more than the distance from Cardiff to Sydney (10,923 miles).
The ManVan brings much-needed advice and support to men affected by prostate or testicular cancer in areas where such services are currently lacking. It offers support from a specialist nurse, one-to-one counselling, couples’ counselling, group support and benefits advice to men all over Wales.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Wales, with 2,547 Welsh men diagnosed each year.
In early 2014, Patrick from Rhos on Sea in Conwy was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both he and his wife Patricia really benefitted from the ManVan’s services.
“The diagnosis was devastating and a huge shock to the whole family. My daughter realised that we all needed some help and Googled ‘prostate cancer’. She found the Tenovus Cancer Care website and read about the ‘ManVan’. Luckily it was visiting our local community the very next day; just a couple of miles down the road.
We popped along and met the team, who were so easy to talk to. They were helpful, knowledgeable and we went on to get some useful benefits advice. As well as that, my wife was able to spend some time with the counsellor on board to help her to cope.”
Claudia McVie, Tenovus Cancer Care Chief Executive, said: “We’re so pleased that we’ve been able to help so many men who have had a cancer diagnosis in Wales. We know that it can sometimes be difficult for men to talk about their worries, so we designed the space specifically to appeal to men and make them feel comfortable.”
Heather Blake, Director of Services at Prostate Cancer UK said:
“Prostate cancer affects more than 17,000 men in Wales alone and many will need support, whether it’s in helping them come to terms with a diagnosis, or dealing with the side effects of treatment and the emotional impact of the disease. The ManVan is doing just that and it’s great to see the impact it’s having not just on the lives of men with prostate cancer, but their families too. We’re looking forward to inviting many more guys on board as the van continues on its journey across Wales.”
Sarah Coghlan, UK Director of the Movember Foundation added: “The ManVan has had an incredible impact on the lives of men and their families throughout Wales in the past twelve months.
We’re thrilled to see the wealth and variety information provided to ManVan visitors, particularly the growth in their knowledge of various men’s health issues, such as prostate & testicular cancer, erectile dysfunction and diet & lifestyle.
It’s heart-warming to know that such a difference can be made through the power of the moustache. Without the efforts of our Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
If you or someone you love has been affected by cancer, Tenovus Cancer Care can offer help and support. To find out more call the Tenovus Cancer Care free Support Line on 0808 808 1010 or visit tenovuscancercare.org.uk. You can also speak to Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383.
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Topics
- Health Organisations
Categories
- prostate cancer uk
- tenovus
- manvan
Notes to editor:
• Prostate Cancer was the most common type of cancer that we have dealt with at the ManVan in the past 12 months – 80% of visitors had prostate cancer, 2% had testicular cancer and 2% had penile cancer. 3% of visitors suffered from other cancers, such as head and neck or bowel cancer, and the final 13% were spouses or carers who used the ManVan’s services.
• One of the services the ManVan provides is to help visitors claim benefits that they may not be aware they are entitled to. In the first year our advisors helped visitors to claim more than £300,000.
• Tenovus Cancer Care freephone Support Line is open 8am – 8pm, 365 days a year on 0808 808 1010.
• Keep up to date with Tenovus Cancer Care by following us on Twitter @tenovuscancer or Liking our page on Facebook www.facebook.com/tenovuscancercare
• The Movember Foundation is a global men’s health charity which raises vital funds and awareness for the often ignored issues of men’s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s mental health. It is responsible for the sprouting of millions of moustaches around the world in November when men become walking talking billboards for men’s health. Funded programmes focus on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, staying mentally healthy and research. Further information about the Movember Foundation can be found at Movember.com
• Prostate Cancer UK works to get men in all areas of the country the early detection, effective diagnosis and better treatments that will beat this disease.
• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. More than 10,000 men die every year from this male-only disease, and 300,000 men are living with prostate cancer in the UK.
• Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer can contact Prostate Cancer UK's Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or via the online Live chat, instant messaging service: www.prostatecanceruk.org. The Specialist Nurse phone service is free to landlines and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays.
