Cancer Charity Wants To #GetMenTalking

Macmillan Jersey has launched a new campaign to try and get more men talking about how cancer is affecting them.

Less than a quarter of people who access the charity's services are male.

Macmillan Jersey wants to #getmentalking and promote the services it offers to them.

Despite cancer rates being significantly higher in men than women, many more females than males access the charity's emotional, practical and wellbeing services.

“We hope that this campaign will highlight the support that is available at Macmillan Jersey and to increase access of Men by whichever method or means that works best for them.

Cancer will affect 1 in 2 people in their lifetimes, and there is a stigma out there that some men find it tough to talk. With cancer affecting so many of us Macmillan Jersey are keen to raise awareness of the support that is available to men when they are ready to access it.” - Pam Aubert, Service Manager.

Scott Le Flour got support from the charity in 2010 after his dad was diagnosed with cancer.

"It's not an event we recall fondly but one of the upsides was the discussions that I had with Macmillan because with their help we were able to navigate what was a very tricky time in my own and my wider family's lives through their support, engagement and guidance throughout the diagnosis and ultimately beyond that as well.

Scott with his dad Yves who died after being diagnosed with cancer.

Scott now volunteers for the charity and has taken on several challenges, including a cycle to the top of Mont Ventoux, to raise money.

"I sat down with a fantastic team who listened. They treated me with a huge amount of empathy and respect and I just felt it was a safe space where I could go in and share some thoughts and considerations that maybe I wouldn't have shared with my family and my nearest and dearest at home about what was on the horizon and some of the practicalities of what we would deal with.

We want to let the men out there that are suffering through this disease know that there is a resource available for them  - they can come in and talk, and they have got someone who will listen and help them navigate what is a hugely difficult time."

To access Macmillan Jersey support services, visit The Oasis on the Second Floor of the Lido Medical Centre, St Saviour’s Road, St Saviour, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, or call 01534 498188.