CPCSG Profiles
Baroness Emma Pidding
Patron
Following the sad loss of our former patron Sir Michael Parkinson, we are delighted to announce that Baroness Pidding, CBE, has very kindly accepted our invitation to take up this role. As a local resident (Chalfont St. Giles) and former Chiltern District Councillor, she has the welfare of our local community very much at heart.
She says:
“It is an honour to accept the kind invitation to become Patron of your charity. I have long been an admirer of the dedication and passion that Andrew has shared about his involvement over 20 years”.
Barry Sarl
Chairman
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, currently serving as Chairman since 2019.
Anthony Banton
Vice Chairman
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.
Andrew Scott-Priestley
Secretary
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.
George Allison
Committee Member
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.
Mark Preston
Committee member
At the age of 59 I had an annual review at my doctor’s surgery which included a PSA test and I was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer. After the shock of hearing “Cancer” I then had to ask what is Prostate Cancer. It is the most common cancer in the UK and kills some 12,000 men a year, but it is also one of the most treatable if caught early enough.
There are lots of different treatment options that are discussed with you. I chose a full radical prostatectomy – right for me, but not always for everyone. I can’t thank my doctor’s surgery, the Wycombe Urology dept and all the people I have met along the way enough. Without them things could have been very different.
Following my treatment, I struggled with depression and looked for support, which I found with CPCSG. Just to be able to talk with other men about a shared experience has been great, the regular PSA tests show no recurrence and my life is now back on track, I have made new friends and it is a privilege to support this group.
Malcolm Cocksedge
Committee Member
A simple PSA blood test offered by this support group at a Testing Day in High Wycombe a couple of years ago changed my perspective on health awareness. As a pharmacist, I had always promoted proactive care, but my own early prostate cancer diagnosis reinforced the importance of regular screening for men in middle age and beyond. Now retired, I devote my time to raising awareness and supporting both Prostate Cancer initiatives, and also Eye Health where I run a local support group of the Macular Society in High Wycombe for people with Age Related Macular Degeneration.
Chris Waymouth
COMMITTEE MEMBER / NEWSLETTER EDITOR
After various issues and tests in late 2017, a biopsy confirmed that I had a (thankfully) limited and localised case of prostate cancer and I was offered a programme of surveillance. However, I chose to get rid of it rather than risk it developing and I underwent robotic prostatectomy in March 2018. My consultant was brilliant and the procedure was quite awe-inspiring, followed by comforting aftercare. Regular PSA testing continues, with negative results every time. I came across this Group and organised an awareness session in my village and realised how vitally important it is to spread the message and encourage testing. A further commitment came along when our ever-active Chairman press-ganged me into taking over as Newsletter Editor and secondary editor of our website.
Doreen Sarl
Treasurer