Profiles

George Allison

George Allison

With the unforgettable experience of seeing my uncle die from prostate cancer I was well aware of the disease and began having annual PSA tests from my early 50s.  I was diagnosed when I was 67 and was put on six monthly active surveillance during which my results fluctuated until, in December 2010, my consultant decided the time had come for me to have treatment.  I elected to have a prostatectomy at Wycombe hospital in April 2011.  I Have nothing but admiration for the team; including my GP, the Urology Ward staff and my surgeon for their professionalism before, during and after my treatment.

Mike Basnett CBE

Mike Basnett CBE

In 2004, at the age of 58, I was blissfully ignorant of my prostate, what it was and what it did.  A work colleague in Australia phoned to tell me he had just been treated for the disease, which prompted my wife to nag me to go for a test.  I had no symptoms, and the physical examination revealed nothing unusual.  I am eternally grateful that I had an enlightened GP, who sent me for a simple blood test “as a precaution”.  I had a raised PSA, and the subsequent biopsy revealed I had prostate cancer.  I immediately opted for a radical prostatectomy through my private insurance, in early 2005.  It went very well, but with hindsight I would have opted for NHS treatment because of the excellent post-op advice and support available locally.  It was just caught in time, as the cancer had started to spread beyond the prostate gland.  My PSA is now going up again slowly, and at some stage I may need salvage radiotherapy, but I am alive and well thanks to my friend, my wife, my GP and my consultant – I am a prostate cancer survivor.

Founder member; served as CPCSG Chairman 2009-2012

Andrew Scott-Priestley

Andrew Scott-Priestley

No symptoms but had PSA checked annually from age 50 owing to family history and a very persuasive wife.  After several years of low PSA it increased to 5.6 at age 60, had biopsy, and opted for a radical prostatectomy in 2005.  Three years later PSA rose slightly again and had salvage radiotherapy treatment in 2009.  Although I am a prostate cancer survivor I still have my PSA checked regularly and I am fine.

Founder member; served as CPCSG Chairman 2006-2009 and 2012-2015, Served as Secretary 2019.

Bruce Cameron

Bruce Cameron

Annual company medical revealed an enlarged prostate.  Therefore on retirement was advised to have an annual PSA test.  Slightly raised PSA in June 2003.  No symptoms but PSA went up to 18 in 2011.  Opted for radical prostatectomy in July 2011.  So far so good.

Bruce is also Chairman of the Aylesbury Vale Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Alan Rowe

Alan Rowe

Was persuaded to have PSA test as I was over 65 but had no symptoms.  Had biopsy which was negative.  A year later PSA had risen again, had another biopsy which proved positive.  Opted for radical prostatectomy in 2004 and since then have had annual PSA tests – but all is clear.

Founder member; Served as Treasurer 2005-2020

Barry Sarl

Barry Sarl

Barry had his first PSA test in April 2014 and was kept on active surveillance and was diagnosed with low level PC in Feb 2016. He joined the group in 2016, had a radical prostatectomy in November 2017 since which time he has become a very active member keen to raise awareness of the condition.

Served as CPCSG Vice Chairman 2017-2018, Served as Chairman 2019.

Anthony Banton

Anthony Banton

Anthony has worked for the NHS since 1989 and has worked in roles connected to pharmacy and more recently in patient experience.

He has had extensive experience in both primary and secondary healthcare systems and finished his NHS career with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS.

Anthony has also worked overseas in Saudi Arabia in a military hospital setting gaining valuable experience of worldwide Healthcare systems.

Anthony is also a district official for his local church organisation with responsibility for 32 churches and 51 licensed ministers.

He is currently serving as CPCSG Vice Chairman and looking forward to helping to encourage all men but particularly men from black and other ethnic backgrounds to be regularly tested.

Pam Ging RN

Pam was formerly the Prostate Nurse Specialist at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.  Involved in the creation of CPCSG in 2005 and acted as Secretary of the group since its inception until 2015. 

Founder member

Joe Kearney BA RN

Since 2000 I am a Macmillan Uro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist based at Stoke Mandeville hospital and I also have clinics at Wycombe hospital.  I helped to establish the Haddenham Support Group in 2003, the Aylesbury Support Group in 2004 which have become the Aylesbury Vale Prostate Cancer Support Group.  I continue to work closely with AVPCSG and maintain links with CPCSG.

Claire Watson RN

Is a Macmillan Uro Oncology Nurse Specialist based at Wycombe hospital but also spends time at Stoke Mandeville.  Is actively involved with CPCSG providing advice and support

Doreen Sarl

Joined Committee in 2019 to maintain the CPCSG Database whilst providing support to her husband Barry.  Following the retirement of Alan Rowe as Treasurer she has additionally served as Treasurer since 2020.