An information session was held on Thursday night at Stawell Neighbourhood House, with members from Northern Grampians Shire Council and Stawell Regional Health among the 18 in attendance.

John Bradley is a prostate cancer survivor that lives in Stawell and has been the one driving for the creation of a support group.

“There is no support group in Stawell at the moment, so men in Stawell suffering with prostate cancer have to go to Horsham or Ararat for information or support,” he said.

People from various walks of life talked at the information evening, giving different perspectives on dealing with the illness.

”We had Gay Corbet from Ballarat Base Hospital as well as guys from the Ararat prostate cancer group come along and give speeches,” Mr Bradley said.

“The session was to enlighten people about prostate cancer and problems associated with it.”

Mr Bradley had a “very aggressive” form of prostate cancer, requiring surgery in June. He has since recovered and is in good health, but has gained an understanding of what it is like to have cancer.

“I caught mine in time and was very lucky but others aren’t so lucky,” he said.

“A lot of people suffer with mental problems and depression at the same time as fighting cancer. I hope we can set up a place for men to have access to information and people that can help them through a difficult time in their life.”

Mr Bradley said positive signs were shown at the information night to get a group up and running in Stawell “very soon”.

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