https://mailchi.mp/tackleprostate/november-monthly-briefing
| Hello!Welcome to your November Support Group Leaders and Organisers Monthly Briefing. As always, a huge thank you for everything you’re doing across the country to support people living with and affected by prostate cancer. Whether you’re running meetings, supporting individuals, raising awareness locally, or contributing to national campaigns, it all adds up to a powerful collective effort. A Powerful Day at Parliament – Our Voices Were Heard On 14th October, several of our wonderful support group leaders and trustees joined me and our friends at Prostate Cancer Research for a special parliamentary reception at the House of Commons. It was a really uplifting day, full of energy, connection and purpose, and a brilliant reminder that when we speak together, our voices truly can make a difference. We were so proud to see so many familiar faces there (check out the photo above): Alison from Worcestershire, Sanjiv from Oxfordshire, our Trustees Ken Mastris and Tony Collier, our former Chair and Solihull group leader Aidan Adkins, and group leaders and charity partners Paul Campbell from Cancer Black Care and Jeff Thompson from Cancer Don’t Let It Win. It was wonderful to have such a strong Tackle presence in the room. The turnout was incredible, over 100 parliamentarians attended! Many MPs told us they were there because they’d received letters from people in their constituencies who responded to the Proactive for Your Prostate campaign call to action. That means you. The letters you wrote really did make a difference, and your voices were heard right at the heart of Parliament. The event also marked the launch of an important new report from Prostate Cancer Research, which showed that life-saving, targeted prostate cancer screening could cost as little as 0.01% of the NHS annual budget, around £18 per eligible person , while saving thousands of lives. The report makes a powerful case for a national screening programme focused on men at highest risk , Black men and those with a family history , showing that it’s affordable, practical, and vital to tackling long-standing health inequalities. We’re already seeing the impact of this growing momentum. Groups and individuals across the country are sharing their stories and keeping prostate cancer in the public eye, including Ian from Torbay Prostate Support Association , who recently appeared on BBC Spotlight Southwest and the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2. These moments matter, they spark conversations, raise awareness, and help drive the change we all want to see. On October 13th, I also attended a parliamentary event run by our partners at Prostate Cancer UK for the launch of the National Prostate Cancer Audit State of the Nation report, another important moment for the prostate cancer community. Do look further down this newsletter to read more about the NPCA State of the Nation Report, and how you could use the findings locally. So please, keep up the pressure. Keep writing to your MPs, sharing your experiences, and shouting about this issue to local journalists and decision-makers. If you need any help with letters, media opportunities or follow-up conversations, we’re always here for you. Together, we’re making sure that the voices of people living with and affected by prostate cancer are impossible to ignore. Thank you all again for your continued energy, commitment and passion. You really are the heart of the Tackle network. Do get in touch with me or any of the team if you have suggestions, comments, or ideas for future briefings or meetings. We always love hearing from you. With appreciation, Sarah, and all the team at Tackle |
| Support Group Leaders’ Meeting – Your Feedback and Next Steps Thank you to everyone who joined our Support Group Leaders’ meeting this month and shared your reflections. It was heartening to hear how valuable these sessions are at helping new and established groups alike to learn from one another, feel part of a wider community, and take away fresh ideas and encouragement. Leaders told us that the meetings offer a real sense of belonging, inspiration, and reassurance that no one is working in isolation. Networking and sharing experiences remain the most valued aspects, and there was strong support for more time in breakout rooms, advance agendas, and exploring new topics in 2026 such as end-of-life care, late effects of treatment, and emerging therapies like HIFU. If you couldn’t join the session or if you did and would like to add any further thoughts, please take a few minutes to complete our short feedback survey. Your views will help us shape future meetings and make sure they work for everyone across the network. |
| Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Workshop Don’t forget to sign up for our next Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Workshop – Monday 10th November, 6.30pm (online)In partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, this is the second session in our national EDI workshop series, and it’s a brilliant opportunity to build confidence and share good practice around making our support groups welcoming and reflective of the communities we serve. We’re not just talking about ethnicity, we’re talking about reaching people from different backgrounds, income levels, and communities who may not yet see themselves represented or know that our groups are for them too.These workshops are practical, thought-provoking, and supportive spaces to explore what inclusion really means in the context of peer support. Whether you’ve been involved for years or are just starting out, this session will give you ideas you can take straight back to your group.🖥 Date: Monday 10 November 🕡 Time: 6.30pm (online via Zoom)Let’s work together to make sure everyone affected by prostate cancer can find the support that feels right for them. |
 December Support Group Leaders MeetingWe’re looking for three or four support group leaders or organisers to present at our December 2025 Support Group Leaders’ Meeting (December 2nd at 11.00am) and share what’s been happening in your group over the past year. Whether you’ve launched a new service, run a successful awareness campaign, grown your membership, or tried something creative that’s really made a difference, we’d love you to tell us about it. This is a great chance to inspire others, celebrate your successes, and showcase the amazing work happening across our network. If you’d like to volunteer, please drop Sarah an email. |
| Hot Topics – November 2025: Key HighlightsTargeted screening gains momentum – Prostate Cancer Research launched a major report (attended by 100 MPs) calling for targeted NHS screening for men of Black ethnicity and those with a family history, which could reduce inequalities and save lives.Strong voices in support – Leading clinicians, including Professors Mike Kirby, Stephen Langley and Nick James, have spoken out in favour of screening, alongside a powerful new film directed by Sir Steve McQueen and fronted by David Harewood.New treatments and trials – Darolutamide has been approved on the NHS for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, offering a gentler option with fewer side effects. AI and innovation -The NHS is piloting artificial intelligence to speed up prostate cancer diagnosis by as much as a month, showing how technology can improve early detection and outcomes.Download this month’s Hot Topics and share it with your group members to keep them informed about the latest developments in screening, research and treatment. It’s a great conversation starter for meetings and an easy way to help your members stay up to date and empowered. |
 Spotlight on Best Practice: Community–NHS Collaboration in Buckinghamshire Last month, I had the privilege of visiting a remarkable PSA testing event at Wycombe Hospital, organised through a partnership between Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and our Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group. In a single day, 240 men were tested safely and efficiently through a model that brought together the Trust’s clinical expertise and the group’s local knowledge, outreach and volunteer energy. What made this event particularly significant was that all booking, testing, and follow-up were handled entirely through NHS systems. This means that every man who attended is now safely within the care of his GP and clinical team, an important step forward in ensuring consistency, safety, and accountability. The Chilterns group worked closely with NHS colleagues to promote the event, distribute information, and welcome men on the day, showing just how powerful these community-NHS collaborations can be when they’re built on mutual trust and shared purpose. Many of our groups already run successful community PSA testing events in partnership with organisations such as the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, and that work continues to play an important role in raising awareness and encouraging men to get tested. The Buckinghamshire model simply offers another route – one that is fully embedded within NHS governance and follow-up, and which aligns strongly with national guidance and the direction of travel for early diagnosis. It’s a real example of best practice, and we’re keen to share what’s been learned so other groups can explore similar partnerships in their own areas. Congratulations to Group Leaders Andrew Scott – Priestly and Barry Sarl and all the team at Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group. |
| National Prostate Cancer Audit 2025 – State of the Nation ReportIn mid October, I attended the Parliamentary launch of the National Prostate Cancer Audit (NPCA) 2025 State of the Nation Report, hosted by our partners at Prostate Cancer UK. The event was well attended by politicians, clinicians, researchers, charity partners, and people living with and affected by prostate cancer – all coming together to reflect on progress and the challenges that remain. It was an inspiring reminder of the power of partnership and the importance of ensuring the voices of people with lived experience are heard at every level of decision-making. The new NPCA Report paints a mixed picture: more people are being diagnosed, but too many are still being diagnosed late, and stark inequalities persist across the country. The report shows that men in some areas are less likely to receive timely, radical treatment for high-risk disease, while others with low-risk cancer may be over-treated. It also highlights lower access to advanced treatments among older men, Black men, and those from more deprived communities. These findings really reinforce the importance of the work you do in your local areas – raising awareness, encouraging early testing, and sharing real experiences with NHS partners and Cancer Alliances. The Audit can be a powerful tool for your local campaigning and influencing work. You can use it to show what’s happening nationally and start conversations about how your local area compares.Would it be helpful if we arranged a short session at a future Support Group Leaders’ Meeting to explore how to use the NPCA data and dashboards to extract local information and strengthen your user voice activity? Please let me know if that’s something you’d find useful. |
