Banburyshire brewery staff brave the elements in the buff to raise awareness for prostate cancer

Brave Hooky Brewery staff on board as the March feature in the prostate cancer calendar. They are, l - r, George Clarke, Derek Pratt, Jamie O'Sullivan, Mark Graham, Ed Clarke, Roger Hughes, Dave Daniels, dray horses Commander and Lucas and Tristan Watkins

The calendar has been produced by a Midlands campaigner, Tracie Pal, whose stepfather died from the disease.

Ms Pal was helped by a couple who also have first hand experience of a brush with prostate cancer and are helping her to raise funds to promote awareness of the need for early diagnosis.

Sharon Constable, from Hockley Heath, is also passionate about helping the Prostate Cancer charity, two years after her husband Pete received a shock diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Sharon and Pete Constable whose efforts to raise awareness of the need for early diagnosis of prostate cancer has resulted in the calendar

"The calendar has been sponsored by a number of groups and businesses but Hook Norton Brewery has been particularly supportive," she said.

"Some of the men from the brewery appear in the March picture on the dray. My husband Peter features in June alongside his colleagues at Blade Motorcycles, Stratford.

"Early diagnosis using a simple PSA blood test is something my husband and I have been campaigning for since his surprise diagnosis in 2018. He was only 58 and showing absolutely no signs of prostate cancer. Without that blood test he may still have that cancer growing inside him."

Pete Constable's story started in May 2018 when his wife encouraged him to go for a PSA blood test offered one Saturday morning at the Spire Parkway in Solihull. Reluctantly, and only because a friend was going, he went.

Pete Constable was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a PSA test. He is pictured with colleagues at Blade Motorcycles, Stratford-on-Avon in the June picture

"He asked why he needed to go as he had no symptoms and didn't want to be 'messed with'. He thought it was an old man's disease and he was only 57, fit and full of life," she said.

"But I persuaded him because I had recently read that prostate cancer could occur much earlier if there was a family history and Pete's father and grandfather had both died of the disease."

Two weeks after the test both men received letters and Mr Constable advised seeing his GP who arranged a biopsy.

"This revealed cancer on both sides of the prostate, low level but definitely there. We were given choices, wait and see how quickly it grows, have radiotherapy and hormone injections or removal. Pete opted for removal with nerve sparing, open surgery," said Mrs Constable. "He was operated on October 10 2018. His PSA now shows zero. Yes, the op was life changing but the alternative was unthinkable. Pete was back to work by December and is living life to the full."

The couple wanted to give something back and to highlight the importance of early detection and diagnosis using PSA blood testing.

"Last year we held a Ball in Henley-in-Arden and raised £7000. We gave £5000 of this to Shirley Lions to pay for a PSA testing day in Shirley which of course has had to be postponed due to the pandemic. We also gave donations to a prostate cancer support group in Solihull (who were amazing to both Pete and myself) and Prostate UK.

"The plan was to hold another event this year but this time we wanted to have a calendar to launch at the planned Autumn Ball. Businesses and individuals were so keen to take part in the photoshoot and as we started this in January you can imagine how cold some of these shoots were.

"Hook Norton was definitely one of these. A cold grey morning in February with a biting wind that would have discouraged even a brass monkey. The brave boys, majestic horses and a few giggling stable girls joined us in the brewery grounds to take what I think is a fabulous photograph.

"They have sponsored us as well and we are so grateful for their support. We would really like to sell some of our calendars which are on sale in the Brewery shop also to give something back to them; this year has been terrible for many industries and they deserve all the help and support we can give. We hope people who buy one will welcome 2021 with a calendar that puts a smile on their face and can support detection for others."

Mrs Constable said: "Prostate is now the most common cancer in the UK. There is no screening programme, why? Can you imagine what women would say if breast and cervical screening were taken away? Encourage men to discuss it, above all don't wait for the symptoms to appear when a simple blood test could highlight a problem that can be acted upon. If you have a history of PC within the family, ask your GP for a blood test."