Man diagnosed with prostate cancer sets up support group in Bradford

News - 16 December 2022

A prostate cancer support group has been launched in Bradford.
Yorkshire Cancer Community Winter Newsletter 2022

The group, set up by retired police officer Craig Ward, has been highlighted in the winter edition of the Yorkshire Cancer Community newsletter.

The Green Prostate Cancer Support Group meets on a fortnightly basis at 7pm (the first Wednesday and the third Wednesday of the month) at The Idle Draper, 28 The Green, Idle, Bradford BD10 9PX.

Craig Ward

Craig was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2021, which resulted in him having his prostate removed the same month. He said: "This diagnosis came out of nowhere. I only attended at my doctor’s for a regular blood test after just one symptom which led to my doctor referring me to a Urology Consultant. Then after an MRI and biopsy, I was given the news.

"Devastated was an understatement, why me? How did I get it? The questions go on and on. I have since come out of the 'dark' place and I have found that you can get back up and continue with your life with only a few changes...with help from others who have been there and got the T-shirt.

"Why have asked for this to be publicised? Well I made enquiries in order to receive counselling but discovered that there wasn't any specific counselling for prostate cancer. There were trained counsellors but they had not gone through the trauma that I had gone through which wasn’t good enough for me. This is a 'taboo' subject amongst men and they/I won't just speak to anybody about it. Men know what I'm talking about.

"So after advice and liaison with my local charity Cancer Support Yorkshire, I have been given the go-ahead to facilitate my own prostate cancer group specifically for prostate cancer patients.

"So if you have any questions or fears, believe that you may have symptoms, already diagnosed, pre-op or post-op, come along and meet people who have all experienced this cancer in some form or another and share your concerns, doubts and experiences.

"We’re an open group of people and although it’s a difficult subject, we always manage to end up laughing. I’m definitely getting something out of this and I hope the other members are too."

Yorkshire Cancer Community provides impartial, independent information and listening to those affected by cancer to ensure that they are supported and their voices elevated, by linking together people and professionals to get the best out of cancer services.

Downloads

Yorkshire Cancer Community winter newsletter
Download (PDF 3.12 MB)

Looking for information about health and care?

Find advice and information to help you stay well and make decisions about your health and social care support.

Find advice and information

You might also be interested in

Sarah - Chair of the Board of Trustees

image of Sarah, the Chair of the Board of Trustees

As the Chair of the board of trustees, I work with the other trustees and staff to help set the strategic direction of Healthwatch Bradford and District. We meet regularly to look at finance reports, agree the budget, get updates on the work of the staff team and make any decisions that are important to ensure the charity is as strong and effective as possible. We also work closely with the senior staff team to make sure they have the support they need. I previously managed Healthwatch Bradford and District, and I’m passionate about ensuring our local community has a strong voice in the local NHS. I know from personal experience, as both a patient and a carer, that the NHS can be confusing and it can be hard to have your voice heard. We are a diverse and brilliant community, and it’s vital that every part of it has the chance to speak up and help shape our care.

Outside of my role, I’ve got two young children so I’m often busy with them, but I also love yoga and walking in the woods and moors around the District.

I think Healthwatch Bradford and District does a vital job hearing from people across the District, sharing their experiences and views with the NHS, and helping the health and care system better understand the community. I love that I can support this, and I really enjoy getting to work with the fantastic team.

 

Emma - member of the Board of Trustees

Emma - member of the board of Director

"Healthwatch Bradford and District plays a vital role in making sure every person’s voice is valued, respected, and used to drive meaningful change across our local health and care systems."

I’ve always been driven by a deep belief that people deserve to be heard when it comes to their health, wellbeing, and social care. That belief has shaped my entire career and I’ve spent my life working across health and social care. I have spent time in emergency departments, on hospital wards, within social care services, and alongside community groups where I’ve witnessed extraordinary dedication across our system, but I’ve also seen where things fall short. Those experiences have strengthened my conviction that listening to people’s real stories is the key to creating better, fairer, and more responsive services.

As a Trustee of Healthwatch Bradford and District, I’m proud to help ensure that this principle sits at the heart of everything we do. My role involves supporting the leadership team with strategic decisions, guiding our communications, and helping to shape the organisation’s public presence so that the Bradford and district community knows we are here to champion what matters to them.

Outside of work, life is full and joyful. I have a large, lively family, I foster dogs (which brings chaos and love into the house), and I find calm and creativity through crochet.

 

Jo - member of the Board of Trustees

image of Jo

“I’m committed to making sure every voice, especially those often overlooked, shapes the future of our local health and care services.”

Alongside my work as an Aviation Ops Co‑ordinator, I serve as a trustee where my role is to read, question, and challenge. I bring real‑life experience into board decisions, always trying to make sure services and strategies work for the people they’re meant to help. Because I commute between cities for my job, I get to see how health services operate in different parts of the country. That wider perspective really influences my understanding of services, especially when I see how differently things can be done in other areas of the UK.

I have a particular interest in children’s services, the elderly, and vulnerable communities as I feel these people have seldom heard voices and need to be supported within healthcare services. As a Healthwatch board member, I champion the voice of local people in health and social care. I use lived experience, community insight, and independent challenge to influence decisions, improve services, and ensure people are heard. I’m driven by a belief that everyone deserves safe, fair, and accessible care, and that real change happens when the public voice is at the table and taken seriously.

I’m also currently studying a diploma in Aesthetics. When I’m qualified, I hope to be able to help people with cleft palates or other facial issues or scarring. It’s important to me to support people who might otherwise struggle to access the help they need. I really agree with the sentiment that the health and care system works best when it truly listens to the people it serves.