ROBINSONS If every man did what Wayne Morris does — get a regular screening — there is a good chance the survival rate of prostate cancer will increase.
Morris is well on his way to being cancer-free since being diagnosed more than a year ago.
In his mid-50s, the Robinsons resident is a firm believer in every man aged 40 years and older should get a prostate exam done regularly. It was such an exam that detected elevated levels of prostate-specific antigens in his blood, a sign that prostate cancer may be present in the body.
“I never myself had any noticeable symptoms,” said Morris “That’s the big message I would like to get across: that you should always get yourself tested regularly, especially if you are a man 40 or older.”
When he was diagnosed, Morris began attending meetings of the prostate cancer support group in Corner Brook. Realizing how common this type of cancer is and the need for support everywhere, he took it upon himself to form the first prostate cancer support group in the Bay St. George area.
The support group meets at Hotel Stephenville on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m.
The group, open to anyone from the Port au Port Peninsula to southwestern Newfoundland, has had as many as 14 people attend. Not just for people who have had or who are currently battling prostate cancer, the group is open to family and friends looking for support and to anyone who would like more information about prostate cancer.
That’s the big message I would like to get across: that you should always get yourself tested regularly, especially if you are a man 40 or older. - Wayne Morris
“There’s a lot to learn from attending these meetings and it allays a lot of fear that people have of prostate cancer,” said Morris. “We have had men who have just been diagnosed. Their minds and hearts are in turmoil and don’t know where to turn. They are grateful and thankful to have this support group in our area.”
On Sunday, the group will be doing its first-ever Walk a Mile in His Shoes event in Stephenville to raise awareness about prostate cancer and the importance of early screening and detection of the disease.
While support group members have been collecting pledges for their walk, to be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society, Morris sent out an invite to anyone who wanted to join them on Sunday. The walk will start at the Canada Post parking lot at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Walk a Mile in His Shoes event in Corner Brook is also happening Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
That will start at the Kinsmen building on St. Mark’s Avenue nd will involve a short stroll to the Murphy Square area and back before a reception at the Kinsmen building.
For more information on the prostate cancer support group in Bay St. George, contact Morris at 649-1158. For information on the support group in Corner Brook, call Art Matthews at 639-1627.
