A ‘PASSIONATE’ Coventry man who was diagnosed with prostate cancer has backed a national campaign for men to find out if they are at risk – and for the government to update ‘outdated’ NHS guidelines which contribute to a ‘deeply unfair postcode lottery of diagnosis’.
Martin Walsh says he is ‘lucky’ to have received an early diagnosis for the disease, which has recently become the most common cancer in the UK.
He has joined Prostate Cancer UK’s campaign to encourage men to take its online Risk Checker to help men see if they are at risk, and understand what they can do about it, including speaking to their GP about a quick and easy PSA blood test.
Martin, 60, was experiencing pelvic pain and frequent night-time trips to the toilet in early 2024.
Aware of his family history of the disease, he used the Risk Checker, which encouraged him to ask his GP for a PSA blood test. Once diagnosed, Martin chose to undergo a new five-day radiotherapy process.
He said: “When I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, it was a shock.
“Prostate cancer has affected other men in my family – my cousin was diagnosed aged 58, and doctors believe my dad had it when he died – but you don’t always think it will affect you too.
“It was using Prostate Cancer UK’s Risk Checker that helped me take that next step and request a PSA blood test from my GP, which led to my early diagnosis.
“My prostate cancer experience has deepened my outlook on life. I feel incredibly lucky, and I’m passionate about spreading awareness of this disease. I want to encourage other men to take their health into their own hands.
“Please take 30 seconds to check your risk factors today using the Risk Checker from Prostate Cancer UK and think about getting a quick test.”
Prostate Cancer UK is also calling on the government to change NHS guidelines which prevent GPs from proactively speaking to men who have the highest risk of getting prostate cancer about their risk, and the option to get a free PSA blood test.
The charity says thousands of men are diagnosed late, when their cancer has already spread – and that the NHS guidelines are followed differently in different parts of the country, further deepening existing inequities.
Chiara De Biase, Director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “It’s unacceptable that the full weight of responsibility still falls on men to understand their risk and talk to their GP about the pros and cons of a PSA test.
“Men are facing deeply unfair inequities across the country, and their experiences vary hugely based on where they live. We urgently need an early detection programme that will address these regional inequities.
“My message to men today is, find 30 seconds to do Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker. It’s free, anonymous and in a few quick questions you will understand your risk and your rights like the four million men who have already taken it. Knowing your risk could save your life.”
Six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy – who was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023, which was found to be terminal a year later – is also promoting the campaign.
He said: “It’s vital we get the message out to men to think about their risk and to talk to their GP about a simple blood test to check. I hope that my story will be a part of this national movement .
“What we need now is action to change the system, to enable more men to be diagnosed earlier and stop them getting the news I got.
“We need GPs to be able to proactively speak to men at highest risk – for example, men with a family history like me, or Black men – and discuss the PSA blood test to check for signs of cancer at an earlier stage.
“It shouldn’t be only men’s responsibility to make these potentially lifesaving conversations happen.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/5ajkzj8x to use Prostate Cancer UK’s online Risk Checker.
