TWO Warrington men living with metastatic incurable prostate cancer have set up the first ever Warrington support group for men affected by prostate cancer.
Tony Collier of Thelwall was diagnosed 9 years ago at age 60 and told he may only have two years to live. He’d had no symptoms apart from a runners groin strain.
Paul Whittaker of Appleton Thorn was diagnosed in 2025 at age 55 and was equally shocked to hear his diagnosis.
Both men are on aggressive treatment to prolong their lives but want to set up a group to help other men.
Paul, whose idea it was to start the group, said “I wanted a safe relaxed space where men can share experiences and support each other, particularly when newly diagnosed. As both of us have already walked the path of hearing the words, you’ve got cancer, I wanted to help others as they come to terms with living well with cancer”
Tony is Vice Chair and Trustee of Tackle Prostate Cancer (The National Federation of Prostate Cancer Support Groups) and brings a wealth of patient advocacy experience to the group. He said “When Paul approached me and asked if I’d help set up a group I knew that this was something really badly needed. The nearest support groups are 30 miles away so we both think the demand will be considerable. I’ve lived with terminal prostate cancer now for 9 years and have built up a huge amount of knowledge that can help others. Tackle are also able to support the group through national lottery funding to set up new groups in the North.”
Taking up his story Tony said: “In early 2017 I started training to run the Comrades ultra-marathon, one of the toughest road ultra’s that there is. The race was in the June. In the February I felt a groin strain for the first time. This got progressively worse and I consulted a sports injuries Doctor on 8th May and within 36 hours was told I had terminal prostate cancer. After discussing with doctors it turns out I’d probably had it developing for 10 years and I’d been completely asymptomatic until the groin strain.”
Paul’s story is very similar, in as much as it was found whilst undergoing other tests.
“I was having a blood test for an ongoing kidney condition when the nurse noticed I’d not had a PSA test. She asked if I wanted to add it and I agreed.
“This came back very marginally high (3.8 vs a limit of 3.5 for my age group) so I was referred for an MRI within 2 weeks. Results and biopsies took a while but I went on to be diagnosed with oligometastatic (low volume) prostate cancer that had started to spread to my bones.
“I’ve had radiotherapy and I am on hormone therapy long term.”
The groups meetings will take place on the first Monday of each month and the first meeting will be on the 1st June. The meetings are to be held at Alford Sports & Social Club, Manchester Road, WA1 3NJ from 6:30-8:30pm.
For more information please contact Tony/Paul at warringtonprostate@gmail.com
