MORE than 150 survivors of prostate cancer and their families got together in Worcester earlier this month to share their experiences and offer each other support.

The annual event at Sixways Conference Centre on Monday, April 7 organised by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and sponsored by Prostate Cancer UK saw patients, support groups and professionals give presentations on the disease.

Prostate cancer survivor Bill Grinnall was one of those speaking at the event and described the other presentations as “excellent”.

“Everything we heard about was relevant and was discussed in a very down-to-earth way,” he said. “Nothing was stuffy or over-professional.”

Macmillan nurse specialist Jackie Askew said she was pleased to see so many men had brought their partners along.

“You can see wives and relatives talking to each other and sharing their experience too,” she said.

Psycho-sexual specialist nurse at The London Clinic Lorraine Grover talked about how important it was for men to be open with their partners and doctors.

“Sex and wellbeing are just as important as any other aspect of health and you should never be put off asking a question about sex or your relationship,” she said. “Don’t let it be the elephant in the room.”

Attendees also heard about the Rory the Robot campaign, which is working to raise funds towards a £1.6 million machine to treat men in the county with the disease.

For more information and advice on cancer contact Macmillan on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk.

For more information on the Rory the Robot campaign visit www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/rorytherobot.