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User Advisory Group
The User Advisory Group was established to provide support and advice to the study team throughout the project.
Hugh Butcher (Chair of Group)
Hugh Butcher has been a patient champion and service user researcher, working with statutory and voluntary sector organisations and groups, over the past six years.
Following work as a mental health social worker, a community worker, and teaching/researching in higher education, he took early retirement from his post of Head of Department in a College of Higher Education and Further Education in 2006. His academic and research interests centred on citizen action, community practice and participatory democracy.
Recent roles include being a member of Macmillan Cancer Support ‘Spiritual Task Force’ and other Macmillan ‘Cancer Voices’ activities, and Co-Chair of Yorkshire Cancer Network User Partnership Group, and Co-Chair of York and District Cancer Partnership Group. He has also been involved in numerous Research and Development activities.
Hugh’s experience of user involvement has impressed upon him the centrality of working with patients and carers which empowers them to both work in full partnership with health professionals, and to take greater responsibility for their own health.
John Keenan
John is a 62 year old retired Civil Servant from Belfast; currently he is a volunteer worker for Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) and one of his main roles has been delivering prostate cancer awareness talks and providing information about the services that PCUK provide to a diverse range of groups across Northern Ireland.
John was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 and opted to receive Brachytherapy treatment (this involved implanting tiny radioactive seeds into his prostate gland).
John became involved in the LAPCD research project in October 2014 and contributed as a member of its User Advisory Group. He hopes the results of the study will deliver significant benefits not only to those with prostate cancer but also to their partners, families and friends.
Darryl Catton
Darryl is a retired Local Government Officer with over 38 years experience in Information Technology, and is the user representative for Wales.
He is an active member of the Prostate Cancer Cardiff Support Group and regularly meets with other members who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are undergoing treatment. This gives him a wide understanding of men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and the choices they have made on the different treatments available.
He was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2014 and underwent a number of further tests to determine its extent. After discussions with his consultant, talking to other men with prostate cancer and understanding online research he made the choice to go onto Active Surveillance.
George Crawford
George is a retired driving instructor, and is now a Minister of Religion. George is a health Ambassador for BHI (Black Health Initiative) in Leeds.
He has been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer since 2005.
Alastair Graham
Alastair was born in Glasgow in 1953 and grew up in Elderslie, and now stays in the neighbouring town of Johnstone with his wife Hazel, two children and two grandchildren staying in Elderslie. Alastair joined Strathclyde police in March 1979 and just short of his 30 years’ service was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which came as a surprise as he was a fit and healthy person, and enjoyed Tukido a martial art of which he was at the time a 4th Dan international instructor.
After a series of tests and consultation he decided along with his wife Hazel that the best option for him was a radical prostatectomy. He had the operation in October 2008 and thereafter returned to work in February 2009 for two months before retiring in April 2009.
Alastair did not require any further treatments and after 5 years of monitoring was informed by his consultant Mr Underwood that he “was cured” which he was surprised but glad to hear.
He still practices martial arts and is now a 5th Dan, and trains regularly at the gym. Alastair also participates in local voluntary work and helps and supports PCUK.
The User Advisory Group was also be supported by :
- Dr Penny Wright – Associate Professor in Psychosocial Cancer Care, University of Leeds
- Dr Eila Watson – Professor in Supportive Cancer Care, Oxford Brookes University
- Ms Ali Cooper – Prostate Cancer UK
- Ms Lara Spiby – Prostate Cancer UK
- Ms Lisa White – BAUN Nurse Representative