MEN in Worcestershire with prostate cancer are being offered free counselling to cope with the emotional impact of living with the disease.

The county’s branch of counselling charity Relate has teamed up with Prostate Cancer UK to offer free sessions in Worcester, Broadway, Redditch and Bromsgrove.

The sessions have been made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of an army of men who spent a month cultivating a mighty moustache as part of the annual Movember campaign.

Prostate Cancer UK’s community support service manager for Worcestershire Louise Jackson-Sanders said many men living with the disease had said they received little or no support in dealing with the emotional issues attached with the disease.

“We’re delighted that – with support from the Movember Foundation – Relate’s expert counsellors will now be on hand in Worcestershire to support men and their loved ones struggling to come to terms with the disease and its side effects, helping us in our mission to improve the quality of life of men living with prostate cancer now and in the future,” she said.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease in men in the UK, with 40,000 new cases every year and one man dying every hour. Although it can be successfully treated if it is caught at an early stage, treatment can result in side effects including incontinence, depression, anxiety and loss of libido.

Chief executive of Relate Worcestershire Sarah Moore said: “Everyone’s need is different and the funding from Prostate Cancer UK allows us to provide free access to the relationship counselling services or sex therapy which can play a crucial role in the emotional recovery from Prostate Cancer which is just as important as the physical recovery.”

To book an appointment call 01905 28051 or visit www.relate-worcestershire.org.