He first noticed something was wrong just after his 60th birthday when he found some blood in his urine. As he worked for a group of doctors as a Practice Manager, he knew immediately that it was something he should go to the doctors about. He made an appointment with his GP who carried out a PSA test, and a digital rectal examination which showed that there was an enlargement of the prostate. He was then referred to a consultant.

Unfortunately, he had to wait 4 months to see a consultant. He felt anxious as he did not know anything about prostate cancer or what his test results meant. He explained he would have been more concerned if he had not had reassurance from the doctors at his practice. He underwent a biopsy and a bone scan which revealed he had advanced prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. He was absolutely shocked and devastated when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and found the news difficult to take in. He felt that he was given no real information, and that all he knew when he left his consultation was his diagnosis.

Once he came to terms with his diagnosis, he actively sought out as much information as possible as there had been very little made available to him. He contacted Cancerbackup (now merged with Macmillan Cancer Support) and the Prostate Cancer Charity for information, as well as reading books. He never had a problem asking questions but learned most of the information himself. He soon realised it wasn’t as bad as he thought and just wished that someone would have sat down with him at the beginning to go over it all. He felt reassured that the cancer wasn’t progressing as quickly as he’d thought. He felt lucky as a Practice Manager that he knew where to obtain the information from but thought if he had been anyone else it would have been more difficult. He also found that GP’s knew very little about prostate cancer. He feels as though the NHS is failing patients with prostate cancer, and that more awareness and guidance is needed.

He was put on a Zoladex hormone treatment and after 3 years on Zoladex he started to experience problems with bone pain. He was recommended for a trial of another hormone therapy, flutamide, which stopped the pain for 9 months. Unfortunately, the treatment became ineffective and the cancer was spreading. Again, he had been given very little information about the treatment. His daughters were concerned about the reoccurring pain in his bones so suggested he go privately to a specialist hospital where they informed him that there was a trial for a prostate cancer vaccine and another hormone therapy called Stilboestrol that he may want to take part in. He decided to join the trial as it had had positive effects for melanoma patients, he felt positive it could work for prostate cancer. The trial involved weekly injections for 12 weeks. His energy levels increased and he felt good. However, when the trial ended the bone pain returned but was more severe. He went into a downward spiral, not being able to eat and was constantly sick. He was prescribed anti-sickness pills and fentanyl patches that managed the pain but led him to feel nauseous. He did not want to be on pain patches forever so he spoke to his oncologist. She recommended that he have a radioactive Strontium injection which targets pain. He explained that the length of time it works varies but he is still benefitting from the treatment. He then started Stilboestrol alongside his Zoladex treatment and has been on this treatment for the last few years.

On his current treatment he feels good but fatigued. He has experienced a growth and tenderness in his breasts and hot flushes during his treatments but was given 2 courses of radiotherapy to reduce the tenderness in his breasts and since then had found the side effects manageable. Another side effect of the hormone therapy treatments was a loss of sex-drive. He explained that this did not affect him as he was divorced but would have found it difficult if he had been in a relationship. He said that some men feel as though they lose their masculinity due to the impotency caused by the treatment. He felt that this main side effect is not made clear to men before treatment. He found that there were large differences in treatment between men he knew who had advanced prostate cancer and that treatment seemed to be dependent on the consultant.

After his diagnosis he continued to work and lead a very healthy active life playing golf and going to the health club. Initially, his condition didn’t stop him from doing the things he wanted to do. He has done a lot of volunteer work as well as set up a local Prostate Cancer Self Help group. He has actively campaigned for changes in treatment and to raise awareness. He felt it was important to become active in the field of cancer to help others because he has learnt so much throughout his experience that he wants to share. However, after 3 years of treatment he had to stop working, playing golf and going to the gym as he was experiencing high levels of fatigue. He felt as though he was deteriorating and that his illness was beginning to impact on his lifestyle. He felt it was important to keep active, so he took up other hobbies, like painting and bowls, which were less physically demanding. He believes it is essential to have a positive attitude and to live life to the full. He feels that it is important to seek the information you need to make informed decisions and do everything you can to help yourself.