“My Story

Having reached a certain age, I felt that I should have a health check, not that I was feeling unwell but just to confirm that I was in good health with no underlying problems that I might not have been aware of.

I arranged a private health check, which included checking my PSA level. The results showed that my PSA level was slightly above the guidelines for being within the normal range, and as such, I was then put on a plan to have 6 monthly PSA tests, which is a simple blood test. The next couple of tests showed that my PSA level was increasing, and as such, I was sent to have a biopsy, which is not the most pleasant of experiences, although absolutely necessary to confirm if there are any signs of cancer. The results showed no cancer was present, which was such a relief, but to ensure and confirm my situation stayed the same, I was put on a further plan to have 6 monthly checks to monitor my PSA level.

Unfortunately, Covid came along, and my 6-monthly testing was disrupted and delayed. It resumed again in 2023 when further results showed increases in my PSA level. I was then informed that a further biopsy would be undertaken, which sadly identified that I had stage 3 prostate cancer. As you can imagine, this was devastating news to me and my family and a very emotional time when you are told you have cancer!

Once I and my family had come to terms with the situation, we pursued treatment as a matter of urgency, as it was confirmed that my stage 3 cancer was more aggressive than first diagnosed following my cancer treatment.

I was given the all clear in July 2024 and cannot explain the jubilation and heightened emotion having been given that news! I am now being tested every 3 months to check for any changes in my PSA, which will continue for the time being.

The reason for telling my story is to get the message out there to all men to get tested even if you are in your forties and feeling fit and well; early detection is critical as caught early can lead to a successful outcome allowing a long and healthy life. 1 in 8 men and 1 in 4 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The sad fact is that for most men, they only know they have prostate cancer when it's too late! Raising awareness is fundamental to changing this situation and to campaigning to the government that there needs to be a national screening program for men to halt the unnecessary loss of men to prostate cancer.

To this cause, my wife and I are walking the pilgrim route known as the “Camino de Santiago Primitivo,” which is a journey of 320 kilometres across rugged countryside and mountains in northern Spain ending at the “Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.”

We are undertaking this challenge to support the charity “Prostate Cancer UK.”

Please give what you can to enable the charity to continue its work to change this dreadful situation and to prevent men from having their lives cut short.

Thank you!”