09 May 2022
Richard Flanagan has been leading the Fremantle Prostate Cancer Support Group in Western Australia since 2015, supporting hundreds of men through a diagnosis and beyond.
Richard is an inspirational leader, spending a great deal of time each month preparing and researching to make sure his meetings are informative, educational and enjoyable.
We caught up with him to find out more about his own prostate cancer experience and hear his advice on how to lead a successful group.
1. When did you join the Fremantle Prostate Cancer Support Group?
I joined the Fremantle Prostate Cancer Group (FPCSG) in late 2012, some months after a radical prostatectomy (RP) was performed in January that year. I searched for PCFA groups in my area as I wanted to find out more about the journey I had embarked on.
I took over the role of Convenor in 2015 from Margaret Amm.
2. Tell us about your personal experience with prostate cancer?
For many years I had been having regular PSA blood tests and my GP became aware of an increase in PSA in 2010 and referred me to a urologist. I underwent a biopsy and in August that year was diagnosed with a T2 Prostate Cancer Gleason 7 (3+4). I went on active surveillance after my urologist gave me two books to read. One was a loan, and the other was from PCFA for me to keep. His strong advice was to come back and ask any questions I had, rather than surfing the web (where there was abundant un-vetted and un-moderated information) for information on prostate cancer. That was my introduction to PCFA and the Foundation’s literature.
After examinations and a biopsy, the offer of other referrals for confirmation and consideration of other treatments, it was recommended that I have a (RP). The procedure was to be a nerve sparing key-hole operation and the side effects and risks were discussed and preparation including pelvic floor exercises was detailed. I agreed to the procedure, and it was scheduled for the beginning of February the following year.
3. What motivates you to give back and lead the group?
I have for most of my life been involved in support groups and community activities from leadership roles in the YMCA as a school age lad, becoming a life member of that YMCA, a foundation member of a service club, professional institute service, mental health support group and Prostate Cancer Support Groups. I have considered that I receive more than I give in such support work.
4. As a group, how are you navigating through COVID-19?
As we now learn to live with Covid-19, we need to rebuild the face-to-face part of our support. Growing the group and engaging with more men on a similar journey is the main goal. Things like Zoom and Teams have accelerated and provided us with additional resources and opportunities but our core face-to-face meetings, and walking and talking with a man on a similar journey will need more attention.
5. What’s one piece of advice you’d give new leaders on how to run a successful group?
Establish a reliable vetted and creditable source for the information you share, provide and reference. The resources of PCFA have provided me with that for years. Provide that advice to support group members, but also listen to their contributions and the information they bring to the table.
