People & Lifestyle story, August 2006
| AWARENESS CAMPAIGN HITS THE HEADLINES
A chance discovery leads to positive action By: Andrea Kon |
After suffering from prostate cancer, Paul Grainger, 53, a Warehouse Operative at NHS Logistics in Maidstone, Kent, mounted a two week long Prostate Disease Awareness Campaign aimed at around 1800 people who work at six depots across England, thanks to Prostate Research Campaign UK.
An edited version of the following interview by Andrea Kon appeared in the Public Inquiries column in the Social section of The Guardian on Wednesday, 9th August. The column is in question and answer format.
What is NHS Logistics?
It is the main service provider of consumable products (anything from masks and bandages to rubber gloves and syringes) to the NHS.
Why is prostate disease so important to you?
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the summer of 2005. It was found almost accidentally when I went for a routine cholesterol test and asked for a routine PSA blood test as an afterthought. At the time, I knew what the prostate was and its purpose, but I didn’t know it was one of those organs subject to disease. Nor was I aware of the impact of prostate cancer on my life. It’s that word ‘cancer’ that is so scary. I started searching for information on the internet and that’s when I discovered Prostate Research Campaign UK. Their leaflets were invaluable. I had a radical prostatectomy where the prostate was removed. I was very lucky. The tumour was 13mm in size, and 3mm was on the margin of the gland, but it hadn’t spread.
Why did you decide to involve your colleagues?
When I came back to work after three months sick leave, I was surprised at the number of colleagues who asked me about prostate diseases. I got permission from my bosses to put some information about prostate problems furnished by Prostate Research Campaign UK on the notice board at the Maidstone Distribution Centre where I work.
How did it progress from there to a fortnight-long Prostate Awareness Campaign?
Over the two weeks the information was on the notice board, it generated so much interest, that two months later I contacted the Health and Safety Co-ordinators in six depots to see if they would support a proper presentation across the whole company. They were all very enthusiastic.
How did you publicise it?
Through Logistics People, our quarterly company magazine. They frequently include material about female cancers so I suggested they should publish something about a male cancer. Too little is written about men’s diseases. The displays and publication of the article were co-ordinated into a Prostate Disease Awareness fortnight, which ran through all six Logistics depots across England.
What are your hopes for the future?
We hope to produce an information pack about prostate disease for all new employees at all six depots with the help of Prostate Research Campaign. We want men everywhere to be prostate aware and pass on the message to their sons.
Do you have a favourite book?
No - I like reading self-teaching magazines.
If you could change one thing about the Health Service what would it be?
To stop the enormous waste of money and resources.
Who would make a good UK president?
Terry Wogan