'I'd die with it, not from it' - Men form prostate cancer group as Emmerdale Cain Dingle battle hits screens
“Men aren't as good as women at talking about their health”
They said they don’t talk enough about it - and they are the first to admit that talking health with friends isn’t a topic of conversation.
But three Fylde men, each battling prostate cancer, have found friendship and support as they navigate their diagnosis.
Bob Gemmell and his fellow cancer sufferers have formed a prostate support group with the hope of reaching out to other guys who feel the need to talk.
Bob, who works backstage at Lowther Pavilion in Lytham, was diagnosed three years ago and has just started chemotherapy treatment.
He said: ”It takes my energy away and I find it difficult to concentrate, but I have to keep going.
"The support group all came about when a friend of mine was diagnosed with prostate cancer too.
“He knew I had it and he asked if we could meet for a coffee and talk about it.
“So we went to Lowther cafe and went through things. He is preparing to have radiotherapy. I had hormone therapy at first but that stopped working and now I'm on chemo, it metastasised into my bones now.
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“We talked about our feelings and what we were going through but it wasn't very private, people could listen.”
“Then another friend was diagnosed so the three of us met up where we decided a support group would be good.
“Men aren't as good as women at talking about their health, we thought there must be more men out there in the same position who have got it, have gone through it - everyone's circumstances are different.”
The new group comes at a time when prostate cancer is being tackled on Emmerdale - where character Cain Dingle has been at the centre of a powerful storyline after being diagnosed with aggressive but localised prostate cancer.
The character, played by Jeff Hordley, has struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis, with viewers following his emotional journey through fear, anger and uncertainty.
The storyline, developed with support from Prostate Cancer UK, aims to raise awareness of the disease and encourage men to seek advice and testing.
The local guys have already had their first meeting - at Booths in Lytham.
Bob said: “We spotted that the old gallery area in Booths wasn't being used so we asked the manager if he'd let us use it for a support group. He thought it was a great idea.
“So we are meeting on the third Wednesday of every month at 11am and the next meeting will be June 17.
“We chatted, had a coffee we weren't depressive, we put the world to rights as well - you can't be down about it, can you?
“We have to get on with it, there's nothing you can do. They said I would die with it, not from it so that's a positive way to look at it.
Bob and his friends are ready to welcome other men going through the same cancer journey on June 17