A year ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, completely out of the blue and with no symptoms whatsoever.

In November 2024 I was reading about Sir Chris Hoy and his own stage four diagnosis for prostate cancer. Somehow it stirred me to go and get a PSA test as I hadn’t had one for a couple of years and I’m very lucky I did. Following the test results and a visit to the doc I was sent for an MRI scan and investigation and this lead to a biopsy four weeks later. On the 4th January 2025 I received the news that I did in fact have cancer and my prostate was bulging. It was a very worrying few weeks and of course the next stage was to find out if it had spread using a bone scan. On the 30th January Katriona and I visited the consultant for the results and we were lucky, no spread and hearing the words ‘the good news is Mr Coughlin that you won’t be dying of prostate cancer as we can treat it’ was a very emotional moment together. On the 24th of February I had my prostate removed and three days later I was at home on Islay to recuperate.

I am now prostate cancer free and I urge all the men out there to get a test. I know it’s not easy and some of my friends have felt squeamish about the internal investigation, but it is nothing, nothing compared to the potential of losing a life and leaving your family. I can say this from my own experience as my dear brother Chris lost his fight with stomach cancer in November and it is tough for those left behind. Don’t delay and even if you find it hard to get a test on the NHS, you can get one privately. Mine cost me £40!

I would like to send a thank you and message of support to the great Sir Chris Hoy, to all the amazing NHS staff that looked after me and continue to support me, I cannot fault anything, on the contrary, you were outstanding from start to finish and the care I received was incredible.

To my dear wife Katriona and my children, family and friends for their total support and laughs along the way. Never forget the effect on those around you.

So I am supporting 56 Miles in February in aid of Prostate Cancer Research and I would love your support.

Thank you for listening.

Coffers