On 27 October 2023, I was waiting for a doctor to take a prostate biopsy. Before the procedure, the doctor showed me the scan taken earlier and gently prepared me for what was to come. He said I should expect a cancer diagnosis and explained that the cancer had already progressed beyond the point where surgery would be an option.

Just over a week later, the diagnosis was confirmed - advanced and aggressive prostate cancer. That moment marked the beginning of many scans and tests to understand how far the cancer had spread. At the start of this journey, my mind was flooded with worries — about letting my wife and family down, about how to share this news with our sons, and even about how many more anniversaries we might celebrate together.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common yet treatable cancers if detected early. Unfortunately, unlike breast or colon cancers, there is no routine screening for prostate cancer despite 1 in 8 men (rising to 1 in 4 for black men) being affected during their lifetime. Early detection is crucial but often difficult because symptoms may not appear or are easily ignored. Like many men, I ignored my symptoms because I dreaded visiting a doctor.

Nearly three years on, I am on continuous hormone therapy following several radiotherapy sessions. My cancer cannot be removed but can be controlled. The side effects of treatment have changed my life significantly, just as my doctor warned they would.

Now, I am committed to helping other men avoid falling into the same trap or at least easing their anxiety when faced with a prostate cancer diagnosis. I have joined my local prostate cancer support group as a trustee — an organisation dedicated to raising awareness and guiding those diagnosed through their treatment options.

In September 2025, alongside our sons Tom and Rich, we participated in Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 event in Glasgow and raised over £2,200 for this vital cause. This year on 8-11 August 2026, we will be cycling Coast to Coast from Whitehaven to Newcastle — joined by our grandson Alfie — raising funds for MK Prostate Cancer Support.

Please help us reach our target of £1,500 by supporting this important group that provides hope and guidance to so many affected by prostate cancer. Your generosity can make a real difference in saving lives through awareness and support.

Thank you sincerely for your support!

Steve Wakeland