By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer

In December of last year, Jim O'Hara, with the support of the American Cancer Society, offered the first “Man to Man” prostate cancer support group at Southern Regional Medical Center. The first meeting attracted two new members. In the second, in January, four new members were added.

O'Hara has a strong motive for starting the group – he is a prostate cancer survivor. He said, “When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was at a loss as to where to turn. I found that a support group gave me information and emotional support. It also gave me a purpose because I wanted to help others as I had been helped.”

He had been active in other groups prior to moving to Peachtree City. When he moved to the area and began looking for a local group, he discovered the closest one was in Atlanta.

He decided to start a local support group and ultimately enlisted the aid of the American Cancer Society and Debby Tourville, community cancer control manager for Clayton, Fayette, Lamar, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties.

With Tourville's help he contacted 30 doctors for support. While a number indicated an interest, Dr. Scott Shelfo, a local urologist, had been trying to get a group started and quickly jumped in to help. Shelfo, along with SRMC oncology clinical specialist Lisa Hedenstrom and Marcus Bramblett, a retired hospital chaplain, formed the nucleus to get the group started.

Tourville said, “I can't say enough about the degree of passion Jim has exhibited toward getting the `Man to Man' program off the ground. I think Jim's experience with this disease has empowered him to do wonderful things for others.”

She continued, “Jim has researched prostate cancer extensively and is up-to-date on all the latest findings and treatments options. He is dedicated to the cause and is a very valuable volunteer to The American Cancer Society.”

“Man to Man” is a national program of The American Cancer Society that originated in Sarasota, Fla. in 1990. The purpose of the group is “to allow men and their families to share information and emotional support.”

The intent is to enhance the patient's understanding but not to attempt to diagnose or provide medical advice.

O'Hara notes, “When women are diagnosed with cancer, most will search out people to talk to, but men usually do not do this. The support group provides an easy way for some men to satisfy the need to talk.”

There is usually a speaker at each of the meetings who discusses an issue related to cancer. After the presentation and question period an “open forum” is conducted in which concerns can be aired. After the open discussion period the group breaks up to allow time for one-on-one discussions.

The next monthly meeting of the “Man To Man” prostate cancer support group for Fayette, Clayton and neighboring counties is Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 7:15-8:45 p.m.

The meeting will be held in room “A” of the Health Education Center at Southern Regional Medical Center. The planned topic will be “Nutrition and Prostate Cancer.”

For information on prostate cancer awareness or “Man to Man,” phone Debby Tourville, American Cancer Society, Fayetteville at 770-460-8920 or Jim O'Hara, American Cancer Society M2M Volunteer at 770-632-2898

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, in American men.

The ACS estimates during 2000 approximately 180,400 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer.

The ACS estimates that 31,900 men in the United States will die of this disease during 2000.

Prostate cancer accounts for about 11 percent of male cancer-related deaths.

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