It is 12 months since Ian Booth had surgery for prostate cancer and is helping to raise awareness among other men as Prostate Cymru celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Reinforcing the message that prostate cancer isn’t an “old man’s disease”, Ian from Porthcawl was just 56 when he was diagnosed.
Having booked an appointment about “something totally unrelated”, his GP suggested a PSA test which tests the levels of prostate-specific antigen.
And it certainly came as a shock when his GP called back to explain he wasn’t happy with the results:
“I was quickly referred to the specialist and had more blood tests and an MRI scan. They could see dark patches in the prostate and so the next step was a biopsy,” says Ian, a keen golfer and owner of golf holiday business, Golf Tee Time Service. “They came back to confirm that it was cancer and it was a massive shock because I had no symptoms at all. I didn’t feel poorly, I felt fit and healthy as I play a lot of golf. But I also felt very lucky to have caught it early so it could be treated.”
Ian had surgery in April 2022 and felt a surge of relief:
“I was told I was now in remission and it was an amazing feeling to give the news to my wife and my two sons who are in their twenties. I’ve just had my third follow-up blood test since surgery and my PSA levels are less than zero.”
At the time, Ian was Club Captain at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club and he quickly decided that the club’s charity of the year was to be Prostate Cymru and raised more than £32,000. Charity efforts included a cross-country golf marathon from the 13th tee at Pyle and Kenfig and across farmland to the fourth green at Royal Porthcawl.
And Ian now has this simple message:
“To go and get tested just takes a few minutes out of your life – but it could save your life. I had absolutely no symptoms and went to the GP about something totally unrelated and I ended up discovering I had cancer. I am a relatively fit guy and, as my best mate has said, ‘If Boothy can get it, we all could.’”
Tina Tew, CEO of Prostate Cymru, explains:
“Prostate cancer is still the most common cancer in men in Wales with one in eight men developing it. And there is still this misconception that this disease only affects old men and it simply isn’t the case. We need more men to understand their risk and get themselves tested; particularly as prostate cancer doesn’t usually show any symptoms in its early stages. If you’re at higher risk, which includes all men over the age of 50, we urge you to speak to your GP and get tested.”
If you have any questions since reading Ian’s Story our Specialist Nurse is a free and confidential service here to help you.
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