NOW CLOSED Talk to Prostate Action about male health issues and 'Pants in the Park' to win a £100 John Lewis voucher!

[KatieBMumsnet]

Prostate Action have asked Mumsnet to find out your overall level of awareness of male health issues (such as prostate disease) that could affect your DH/DP/DS. Are you/the men in your household aware of such issues? Would you/they even know what signs of prostate disease are?

Prostate Action is holding an event in Battersea Park, London, on the 22nd September called Pants in the Park. Please take a look at the website and let us know what you think: //www.pantsinthepark.org

• Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
  
• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?
  
• Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  
• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  
• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
  

Everyone who adds their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £100 John Lewis voucher!

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw.

MNHQ

[maddiemostmerry]

I liked the website but am not too keen on sponsored events. |Even though I live in London I wouldn't really consider travelling to Battersea park as it is not easy from my part of London on public transport.

I think the event sounds family friendly to local residents. I am not sure that I would participate due to my reservations about sponsored events.

I have not participated in this kind of event due to reasons above.

The cause is very relevant to me. My Dad was diagnosed with advanced prostrate cancer in his 50's. It had been previously missed. My Dad died from this cancer. I now have another close relative with it, again only in their 50's.

If I was at an event like this I would rather fund raise by being on a stall, home made cakes etc than be sponsored. Lots of stalls, tombola, hook a duck etc for children.

[BoysWillGrow]

Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
Not sure it would encourage my DP to take part as its very Cbeebies like, but it does make it look like a family occasion. Not too sure it makes it out to be as serious as it perhaps should be.

Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?
Yes it would probably be the only way I could get DP to take part.

Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
No but i did used to fundraise for Sue Ryder through work.

How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
Not entirely relevant, but it has effected dp's family.

Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
Maybe a bit more for the kids, like bouncy castles or a bit of live music, having something to hang around for afterwards, as it would be quite a distance for us to attend just for the walk.

[Blatherskite]

• Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
  

No. I think it's a fabulous cause but I wouldn't travel all the way to London with 2 relatively small children in tow just for it.

• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?
  

Probably not. I run regularly so would probably have a go if there was one closer but Dh wouldn't be interested. My 5 year old would probably attempt walking it with me but the idea doesn't really appeal to me and my 2 year old wouldn't manage the distance.

• Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  

I've done Race for Life many times. They do lots of events though so I can chose one close to me.

• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  

I've lost Grandparents to Cancer but know no-one in RL who's suffered with Prostrate Cancer specifically. At least not openly. I did follow Rindercella's threads.

• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
  

More events so that we could attend one closer to home. Race for Life is for women only and I know a lot of men who complain that they'd love to join in if given the chance. Why not make this event their opportunity?

[Luckystar96]

The website is great, colourful and fun. If I lived nearby I might encourage my hubby and kids to go.

I can't personally do fun run due to health issues.

I haven't done anything like this but would love to if I was well. My son has done a fun run locally.

Prostate Action is relevant as my dad had enlarged prostate and cancer which caused a lot of problems in the last years of his life and the difficulties of a permanent catheter are understated I think.

I don't think anything could make it more attractive, unless maybe free stuff for kids, aiming at boys predominately as its a great chance to educate them on the symptoms etc for later in life. It's never too early to teach kids about health issues and they're usually facinated with that type of thing.

[Actuallylookingok]

Had a good look!
Wouldn't consider attending event primarily because of location, would cost us a fortune to get there.
Yes, definately would be an interesting day out for family..something healthy, fun and with a feel good factor.
I've done a 5 mile fun run when I was a teenager, I believe it was for cancer research, it was a good excuse for me to get fit and walk the dog at the same time. Nothing since I've been an adult, always a bit too tired or busy with kids. Poor excuse I know.
Very relevant. My husband has been told he has early stage prostate problems, poss cancer.
Absolutely..if it was near where we live. The cost of travel makes it hard to get out to events far away. Also, and this is fairly shallow, but more likely if a group of friends were doing it too as I'd feel less self conscious and more motivated, same goes for my teenage daughter..would have to coerce a group to come along.
Hope this is of some help. x

[mrsden]

1. The website is great, fun and easy to navigate but also lots of information. It would encourage me to attend, although I agree with others that I'm not sure about the pants. I wouldn't attend though because I live too far away. I'd only attend if it was taking place in my local area.
   
2. I would do a fun run with family, but only if it was local to me. I like the idea of something suitable for all ages including children.
   
3. I've done the Race for Life before
   
4. Very relevant. A close family member has prostate cancer.
   
5. If it was local to me.

[natcat7000]

• I think the website worked well, I got the gist of who what where when etc quickly without fussing about too much. Showing pics of actual people in their
  

Pants may help the first timers get over their shyness :)

• I generally enjoy events like this particularly as there is a feel good factor of trying to do something positive with your time so yes I probably would attend
  
• this looks like a good family event and I think it's a good idea to involve kids in charity events
  
• I've either participated or cheered on from the sidelines in a few different charity walks, mainly overseas. I enjoy the atmosphere and the sense of accomplishment
  
• I think more kids events, and things to keep the kids happy would be a good idea. Also, Food stalls? Music? Obviously the idea is to raise money and not spend it willy nilly but thought this might create more of a partay atmosphere.

[CheeryCherry]

Great website, very informative. If we lived nearer I would seriously consider doing this, my dad has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer so as a family we are very aware of this important campaign. I like the quirky, silly idea of pants on the outside, its a very clever concept. I would be keen on this type of family run. If it is a success maybe smaller events could be set up across the country. It needs to be as 'out there' in society as the breast cancer campaign.

[peppapigpastahoopies]

I'm up north, so too far for us to attend this event.

After dads diagnosis of Prostate Cancer I did a fun run to raise money for The Prostate Cancer web site. I'm a regular user of their services and regularly post on the forum there.
I've never heard of Prostate Action though.

Prior to dads diagnosis I knew nothing much about PCa but I feel like an expert now!

[Puppypoppet]

Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
Yes - looks like a fun event. If lived nearer I could imagine a group of us from work doing it.

• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?
  

Yes - if I didn't do it with my work colleagues I would participate with family.

• Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  

Years ago when at school but not recently - can't remember which.

• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  

I don't know anyone with Prostate problems but it is something worth raising awareness.

• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
  

Have more events across the country

[BlastOff]

The website is well designed, but as I live approximately 300 miles away we wouldn't go. I don't think that my dh would wear his pants over his trousers either, but when the dcs are older it would be good to do a fun run together, but I'm far too unfit at the moment and they are too young. I've not done anything like this before, although I havethought about it and would like to in the future.
Prostate cancer hadn't affected anyone in my family so far, but I do know about it. I think a better screening test is needed than psa though, as it results in too many false positives and unnecessary investigations and anxiety.
I think we'd go along to a local family fun day, it wouldn't have to have a fun run, but would spend money there, although I can see why it would need a sponsored element.

[FourMinutesThirtyThree]

- Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?

Web site looked good with all the relevent info. It looked well organised and professional and fun so would tempt the kids. Overall yes it would encourage me to attend.

- Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?

Yes

- Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?

We take part, as a family and with friends, in the heroes run every year. But not with sonsorship requirements which I do not like as I am happier to pay more to enter and not have to ask people for money.

- How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?

It has not affected anyone I know and I hope it never will but I think it is relevent to everyone. Especially information and education about the disease.

- Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?

Yes. Not having the requirement to raise sponsorship. A short fun run for the little ones. More to do afterwards.

[Hebiegebies]

• Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
  

If it wasn't for MN I wouldn't have seen this page. I think it's too vague. Not enough info at first glance.

• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not? Not really, I'd be more likely to attend with just one child rather than the whole family
  

• Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  

Race for life with a friend not family

• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  

Friends have both survived and died from this cancer. So yes, relevant

• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
  

Outside of London, not in term time and with more activities for the kids such as fun rides etc. good car parking, we can't get to public transport form where we live.

[TheTempest]

Are you/the men in your household aware of such issues? Would you/they even know what signs of prostate disease are?

We only have one man in our household, and interestingly enough we have been talking about this quite a lot recently. He is aware of the signs to look out for, but I'm not convinced he would go to the doctors if he had them. We haven't had any experience of any one suffering from this so it, rather shamefully, isn't something we worry about.

- Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?

Yes, I really enjoyed the website. I thought it was eyecatching and appealing to all age groups. I'm not sure I would attend this event as it's in London, and quite a distance from me.

• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not? - Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  

Yes, I have taken part in the Race for Life with my DD before and enjoyed it. I would like to encourage my partner and StepChildren to take part too.

• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  

We have no personal connection with Prostate Action and our family is very lucky to have been untouched by this disease so far.

• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
  

Moving it closer! Making it more of a 'event' rides etc.

[NigellaPleaseComeDineWithMe]

Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
The website publices the event but wouldn't attend as it's not local enough..

• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?
  

Not as a family - not that into sponsored events..

• Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  

Years ago back in the 80s Live Aid Running event when at Uni.

• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  

I have one so it should be - but don't personally know anyone affected by it.

• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?

[Glabella]

Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
Possibly if it was more local. The website is good, but there is no information on disabled access, parking or toilets (possibly a problem as you'd expect a fair few prostate cancer sufferers to attend).

• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?
  

Yes, we probably would.

• Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  

No

• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  

Quite relevant, as I am a medical professional and have seen many patients who could have benefited from increased awareness of the disease.

• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
  

Not having it in London!. And no minimum sponsorship- it would be £100 for our family to run and we'd struggle to raise that.

[Snugglebuttmini]

• Would this website encourage you to attend the event? If so why, if not why not?
  

It makes the event look fun and family friendly and any as it helps to raise money for a good cause and raise awareness it is encouraging.

• Is a fun run/walk something you would participate in as a whole family or not?
  

Yes most definatley. Exercise is beneficial to everyone. Little ones can go in the pram/scooters etc.

• Have you ever taken part in this sort of event before? If so, which ones?
  

I haven't no

• How relevant, or not, is the Prostate Action cause to you?
  

I have male relations and a partner and it is an issue that I think both men and women should be aware of. The more the issue is spoken about the more (hopefully) men will chck themselves and the less taboo a subject it will become. Knowledge is key.

• Is there anything that could make this event more attractive to you and your family?
  

More local events to prevent travel expense and time. Not everyone wants to get a train or has a car plus parking can be a nightmare at times.

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

Thanks to everyone who added their comments to this thread. I'm pleased to say that the winner of the £100 John Lewis voucher is...

katz

Congratulations! I'll PM you to get your details.

[Katz]

thank you