Packie Bonner launches new book for Irish men living with prostate cancer
A new and inspiring prostate cancer patient storybook resource for men experiencing prostate cancer was launched today by legendary Republic of Ireland footballer Packie Bonner.
Entitled Man to Man: Irish Stories of Hope in Prostate Cancer, the storybook is a collection of real-life inspiring stories of hope from men with prostate cancer and is designed to offer hope and support to other men with their diagnosis and promote greater psychological supports for those living with the illness.
Developed by Janssen, the pharmaceutical division of Johnson & Johnson, in association with the Irish Cancer Society, the storybook is the result of research with people who have been affected by prostate cancer to find out what type of information would help them on their journey to recovery. The research found that not only do other men with prostate cancer find comfort in hearing a real Irish story, doctors and nurses can also draw on those experiences in order to further improve the treatment journey for others.
Over 3,000 men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland each year and, after skin cancer, prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer in men. In Ireland, approximately 17,000 men are living with the disease and approximately 500 men die from the disease each year.
The storybook contains eleven personal accounts of men’s experiences of prostate cancer, including the story of Willie Penrose TD, and John Dowling, Chairperson, Men Against Cancer.
Speaking at the launch Packie Bonner said, “The Man to Man: Irish Stories of Hope in Prostate Cancer storybook will help men living with prostate cancer to see that they are not alone. I was struck by the honesty and openness of the 11 accounts. These men show such bravery in speaking about the issues they faced and the journey they went on in the treatment of their disease.
“I hope that these stories will help men to reach out to other men who are living with the disease and talk about the issues that they face which in turn will help to ease the feeling of intimidation that men sometimes feel about their illness and its treatment.”
John McCormack, CEO, Irish Cancer Society added, “If this storybook encourages men to start a conversation, be it with their family, a support group, a friend or a call to the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700), it can only be a good thing. The Irish Cancer Society supports any initiative which provokes further thought, talk or action from men experiencing prostate cancer.”
Dr Leisha Daly, Country Director, Janssen Ireland said, “We are delighted to launch this storybook, which we know will bring hope and ease nervousness experienced by men affected by prostate cancer. With the support of the Irish Cancer Society and Men Against Cancer, we at Janssen hope that our commitment to oncology will ensure that we continue to develop solutions for patients across cancer care in Ireland.”
Man to Man – Irish Stories of Hope in Prostate Cancer, is available at GP surgeries, from oncologists, hospital cancer treatment centres, cancer support and advocacy groups across the county, and can be downloaded here (pdf, 759 KB).
Pictured top, at the launch of Man to Man - Irish Stories of Hope in Prostate Cancer, from left: Irish Cancer Society's Survivors Supporting Survivors volunteer John Dowling, Irish Cancer Society CEO John McCormack, Irish soccer legend Packie Bonner, Michelle De Brun, Head of Medical Affairs at Janssen and Donal Buggy, Irish Cancer Society Head of Services.
