The solution
In partnership with the LGBT Foundation, the first ever prostate cancer survivorship conference aimed at the Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community took place on March 2014 in Manchester. The day targeted those involved in clinical delivery, commissioning, policy and research of clinical treatments, as well as those affected by prostate cancer.
Again working with the LGBT Foundation as well as Birmingham LGBT centre, a set of postcards were produced and distributed throughout the UK. The postcards answered frequently asked clinical questions, and also included awareness messaging.
Multiple support groups for the Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community were set up across England. These groups offered the community a chance to talk openly about how prostate cancer affects them and gain psychosocial support from someone going through a similar experience.
Finally, Prostate Cancer UK and the Metro Centre worked together to provide a peer mentor scheme to train and match gay and bisexual buddies to men with prostate cancer living in London and South East England. The buddy scheme provided practical support and advice from others who had been through similar experiences.