On the 5th August last year I was unfortunately diagnosed with advanced but thankfully localised Prostate Cancer.

The diagnosis was a huge shock as I had diligently had a check up every year for the last 15 years, I also had no symptoms whatsoever. This news came as a huge shock to both me and my wonderful family.

I was offered 2 forms of treatment, an intensive course of Radiotherapy or a Prostatectomy (Removal of the Prostate Gland). I chose the later so on the 31st October (Yes Halloween!) I had my prostate removed.

Eight weeks after the operation I received the wonderful news on Christmas Eve that all my follow up blood tests reported that there was no further activity and therefore I am now cancer free, I will of course receive 3 monthly check ups from now on for the next 5 years.

The lesson I have learned from this experience is that you never know what life will throw at you as you get older but with a positive mindset and the support of my amazing wife and children and all of my family you can get through anything.

I would urge all my male friends and former colleagues to have regular checks at least once a year particularly if you are over 50, the statistics of men suffering from this horrible disease are approaching 1 in 6, I was lucky to have caught mine just in time but please don’t take any chances for the sake of a simple blood test once a year.

In recognition of my recent experience, I am walking at least 5 miles a day throughout the month of February and have set up aJust Giving page in order to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Research as they continue to develop treatments to deal with this terrible disease.