The British Jewish community’s preeminent cancer support charity has reported its highest-ever levels of men seeking support for cancer diagnoses.
New figures released by Chai Cancer Care this week reveals the charity has seen a 15 per cent increase in clients affected by prostate and testicular cancer compared to the previous year.
Chai supported 827 men in total between November 2023 and October 2024, up from 724 the previous year. Of those, 766 sought support for prostate cancer, compared to 681 last year, an increase of 13 per cent. Support for testicular cancer meanwhile rose significantly by 42 per cent, from 43 to 61 over the same period.
The figures, released to mark Movember (a month dedicated to raising awareness of men’s health issues), demonstrate the “growing need for tailored cancer support services for men,” Chai CEO Lisa Steele said.
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“Chai is committed to providing a safe and understanding environment where men can access counselling, support groups and therapies that address both the physical and emotional challenges of cancer,” she said. “If you or a loved one has been affected by cancer, please know that Chai is here to help.”
Marc Rister, who at 29 years old was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year and has since been cleared by doctors after undergoing chemotherapy, said: “If cancer can happen to me – someone healthy, who exercises and doesn’t drink or take drugs – it can happen to anyone.
“For anyone reading this, especially young me, I feel it’s really important that we normalise checking ourselves regularly, talking about lumps we find, and most importantly, going to a doctor and getting it seen to.”
Marc Rister during treatment (Photo: Marc Rister)[Missing Credit]
Rister said he was “sceptical” about Chai’s services at first, but after visiting became “surprised” at how much they do.
“They just seemed to ‘get it’ and understand what I was going through,” he said. “The special thing about Chai, was there was no pressure or time limit on the sessions.”
[Missing Credit]Marc Rister (Photo: Marc Rister)
He added, “[Chai] have helped so many people in the community, all experiencing different types of cancer, in a different way. Normally, it is hard for me to talk about what I have been through, but they made me feel so comfortable.”
He credits getting treatment when he did with saving him “months of additional intensive chemotherapy” and possibly even saving his life.
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Jonathan Goldman, 62, was diagnosed with cancer in his tongue 16 years ago. Despite being hesitant to go to Chai Cancer Care at first after being encouraged by his wife, he said: “As soon as I walked through the door I was overwhelmed by their reassurance and professionalism, especially in the kind, caring way they look after everyone.”
A father of three, he continues to receive ongoing scar massage therapy for tissue damage.
Chai Cancer Care, which runs 11 centres across the UK including its flagship site in north-west London, currently helps some 4,300 cancer patients and their loved ones, with one in three clients being under the age of 50.
