Help Ulster GAA support prostate cancer research

Ulster GAA are encouraging everyone to get behind an important fundraising initiative in aid of our Charity Partner for 2020, the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at Queen’s University Belfast.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ulster GAA have been unable to fulfil all our planned charity initiatives over the past number of months.

However, last weekend’s Ulster SFC Final was an opportunity f0r the participating counties of Cavan and Donegal to ‘Show Your Colours’ by making a donation support prostate cancer research and get their team’s jersey image placed on a match-day seat at the Athletic Grounds on game day.

We have now set up a JustGiving page for Gaels across the province and beyond to donate and show their support for the CCRCB at QUB, with every penny and cent raised going towards this very worthy cause.

Over 4,500 men in Ireland are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually. Recently in the UK prostate cancer deaths have exceeded breast cancer deaths with over 11,000 men per year dying of aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

At present, one in eight men will develop a clinically significant prostate cancer in their lifetime with those aged 50 or more (the majority of cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older) or with a family history of prostate cancer at increased risk.

Signs & Symptoms

Prostate cancer is often diagnosed when men present to their GP with urinary symptoms including getting up more frequently at night, inability to empty the bladder completely, or going to the toilet more frequently.

It is important to note that whilst these symptoms can prompt investigations, more often than not, the symptoms are not a result of the cancer but that of a benignly enlarged prostate. Many men are diagnosed with prostate cancer following routine checks in the absence of symptoms; following a routine blood test called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA).

Treatment

Patients with localised disease within the prostate have a number of curative options available to them including surgery, radiotherapy, brachytherapy (seed radiation) and in some instances active surveillance whereby the cancer is low risk but monitored closely for change.

For some men, however, prostate cancer can spread to the bones and other parts of the body, leaving the disease incurable. Even with advanced incurable disease newer treatments enable men to live with the disease for many years beyond diagnosis. If you have concerns about yourself or a family member consult with your GP.

Prostate Cancer Research at Queen’s University Belfast

The Prostate Clinical Research Team in QUB comprises a team of Clinical Research and NHS Consultant Oncologists led by Professor Joe O’Sullivan, Dr. Suneil Jain, Dr. Aidan Cole and Dr. Darren Mitchell coupled with expert scientific research from the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB).

The aim is to improve patient care by leading world-class clinical research. The Prostate Clinical Research Team is internationally renowned, leading the way in innovative trials, shaping the treatment of prostate cancer, increasing survival and reducing side effects from treatment.

As well as improving education for patients and healthcare workers the team supervise research from medical students, scientists, physicists and clinical doctors. The team are dedicated to ensuring that our patients and their families have the best treatments at the correct time and that the continued improvements in overall survival continue for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

If your club would like to get involved in creating greater awareness of prostate cancer, or would like to support the fund-raising efforts please contact maura.mcmenamin.ulster@gaa.ie