Prostate Cancer Its a Man Thing

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Introduction of our project team
My name is John Hoo (stage name Johnny Hoo) and I am a prostate cancer patient at the QE
Cancer Centre, Birmingham, under the care of Professor Nicholas James.
On the 7
th
November 2013 we organised a jazz concert at the Bramall Music Building, Birmingham
University, with special guest Courtney Pine and numerous local jazz musicians and friends to raise
awareness of prostate cancer particularly in the Birmingham black community; support Prostate
Cancer UK and the QE Hospital Charity by raising funds (over 4,000) and to say thank you to my
health teams for their continuing care over the last 3 years.
We realised how effective music was in conveying the message, especially within the black
community, and that we needed to target black men in particular to be aware of prostate cancer
and to educate the health services to their specific cultural and social barriers. We also realised
that this would benefit all men as the profile of Prostate Cancer through music could have a
greater impact.
Team members
Mr John Hoo, drummer, Andy Hamiltons Blue Notes, retired businessman
Professor Nicholas James, Oncologist, Cancer Centre, QE Hospital, Birmingham and
University of Warwick
Ralf DeCambre, musician, joint partner of project
Lesley Stevenson, Organiser, Unite the union
Usha Kiran, Cancer Centre, QE Hospital, administrator and fundraiser
Mikey Godfrey, Grosvenor Road Studios, Recording Engineer
Kevin Baldwin, Animator
Background
Prostate cancer is roughly twice more common in men of African origin. Additionally, once
diagnosed, Afro-Caribbean men have worse outcomes. Reasons for this are complex and may
include: intrinsically worse disease, poorer access to treatments, delayed presentation by the
patients and delayed referral from primary care after presentation.
There is probably not a single explanation and all of these factors play a role. Clearly issues around
disease biology are hard to alter. However, attitudes to presentation and referrals for
investigations with symptoms in Afro-Caribbean men will be highlighted through this campaign.
Particularly the need for trans-rectal examination to diagnose prostate cancer may clash with
cultural attitudes to rectal examinations. Also, some of the issues around presentation and referral
may relate to attitudes in primary care in poorer inner city areas.
Prostate Cancer Its a Man Thing

Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 2653887
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Supporting...
The aim of this fund raising project is to:
1. Raise awareness amongst men that they need to check it out and talk about it through
music and promotional campaign.
2. Support awareness campaigns in the community, workplaces, churches, unions and events
similar to breast cancer to ensure better outcomes for men using music and social media,
as a medium, including Community Peer Educators.
3. Sponsorship of a Man-Thing-Van which includes the latest high-tech scanning
equipment.
4. Support research into barriers to early, appropriate referral particularly within the Afro-
Caribbean population and in primary care. This may include research into the need for
rectal examination, as an initial response, is necessary given the latest technology which
may improve acceptability, increase presentation and earlier referrals.
Action
The team have produced an educational musical recording, entitled: Prostate Cancer. Its a Man
Thing. A short animated advertisement to accompany the recordings will also be available.
We aim to raise over a million pounds for prostate cancer awareness as part of Prostate Cancer UK
during its initial phase which will run for one year starting November 2014 ending with a Grand
Finale Concert with leading Musicians in Birmingham.
There will be many different events targeting awareness regionally and nationally utilising the
innovative medium of music as an educating tool in as many forums as possible.
This could lead to a sustainable approach to ongoing awareness and high profile annual musical
events.
Prostate Cancer Its a Man Thing Available from November 2014 and will cost:
On sale for 1 at 600 online stores (Apple iTunes, Google Play,
Amazon MP3, Deezer, Nokia, Vodafone, Beats Music, Spotify, Rdio,
Tesco, HMV, Simfy, Shazam, 7 Digital, Sony Unlimited and hundreds
more) covering 128 countries
A CD version will cost 3.99 per CD
There are various musical versions including:
A short awareness seminar by Professor Nick James with Wayne Irie with musical
background
Wayne Irie with a reggae rap
Funk Jazz featuring Boo accompanied by Johnny Hoo, Ralf DeCambre, Mark Hamilton,
Andy Peate, Adrian Gibson
Bhangra version, featuring Mendi Mohinder Singh, Ash Kumar and Bob Singh. To be
promoted at Diwali Festival, October 2014