THE chairman and players of AFC Bournemouth visited Poole Hospital to see cancer wards.

Jeff Mostyn and four of the players took a tour around Dorset Cancer Centre, based in the hospital, to look at several of the machines used to treat cancer patients.

It is a cause close to Jeff’s heart as he is an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, having taken part in the Great South Run in October last year to raise money for the great cause.

He said during the hospital visit: “It is always a humbling experience to come here and it really puts life into perspective.

“Whatever we can do to support the Dorset Cancer Centre and whatever they need, we will be there for them.”

Tommy Elphick, team captain of AFC Bournemouth, said: “It’s obviously important to raise awareness that one in seven people will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and so if we can help just one person to go and get tested, then we have done our job.”

Staff showed the men around the radiotherapy department of the centre, with a particular focus on the brachytherapy machines, which provide a source of radiation that is placed inside or close to an area being treated, such as in a tumour.

They also learnt about the four multi-energy linear accelerators radiation treatment units, which each treat around 40 people per day.

Trust chairman Angela Schofield said that it was great to have the support of Jeff Mostyn and the AFC Bournemouth team.

“It’s really important to raise awareness of prostate cancer and to encourage people to get tested and then go on to receive the right treatment.

“We treat around 330 patients here for prostate cancer every year and our equipment is constantly being revised and updated as soon as the money is available to do it.

“The advances in technology mean that we can offer more accurate, targeted therapy for patients these days.”