“I was denied a prostate test three times.”

The 69 -year -old John Taylor from the Lake District went twice to his family doctor and complained that he had to pass more than normal, but he was refused a PSA blood test. Only during an annual examination did he have a test that found that he had prostate cancer in stage 2

I knew nothing about prostate cancer when I went to the doctors for the first time. I had noticed that I had to go to the toilet more often than normal. I got up three times a night to pee. And because my job as a chartered surveyor meant that I drove a lot through the country, I felt that I knew every public toilet in Great Britain because I had to go on to the toilet – it was ridiculous. I am also an enthusiastic fisherman and noticed that I had to get out of the river to go to the toilet.

There was no awareness of prostate cancer that it is now due to men like Sir Chris Hoy at that time.

The answer of my family doctor

When I told my family doctor about my symptoms, he told me: “Look, you’re 57, don’t worry.”

So for me I had made my piece by going to the doctor and was said that they didn’t have to worry. I hate going to the doctor and doing things, and because he was not worried, I was too.

A few months later I went back to the doctor with an ear infection and told my family doctor for the second time that I pink quite a bit and that it was getting more and more. At this point I had looked up my symptoms and knew about prostate-specific antigen tests (PSA) that are used to detect prostate cancer. I asked if I should have one, but my family doctor said no, so as not to worry and get back when it gets worse.

Receive the PSA test

So I continued. In June I finally had a PSA test in June. I have an annual mot through the NHS in the Broadgreen Hospital because I had a heart problem years ago. During the examination, I told my consultant about my symptoms. He said he would do a PSA test while performing some other blood tests. He was the first to correctly mentioned PSA.

When he called me at home the next day and told me there was a problem, my heart fell. I had a PSA score of 27, which is really pretty high. It should be lower than three.

Later this week I made a fishing on the Tweed river in the Scottish borders, and the man who had run this trip earlier had died of prostate cancer last December. At that time it really hit. The fear that I could die much earlier than I had imagined pressed my way into my head. It was a terrifying thought. I stared at the river and thought it would be next.

The diagnosis

Fortunately, everything happened very quickly. Within a week after my PSA result, I had an appointment with a urologist who referred me to additional tests, all of which took place within the next fourteen days.

A tumor was confirmed and I was diagnosed with two prostate cancer at the stage, and my Gleason score (which is now known as grades score) was 4 + 3 (corresponds to grad group 3). This meant that cancer would probably grow at a moderate speed.

I cried after I had phoned the urologist. When my wife came home, she immediately saw that I was upset. I told her immediately. She was clearly destroyed, assured me, assured me that we would get through it together. She believed that I was strong and would face what came next.

I waited to say my children Sarah (35) and Jonathon (31) until I fully understood the treatment plan and my chances of recovery. We shared the news about a family meal at home. It was a hard conversation – I always thought I was invincible by then. They were deeply annoyed, but incredibly supportive and appreciated my positive prospects.

For the first time I heard that I had the big C, my mind was the worst. It was a very difficult moment. But the relief came when I learned that the tumor was limited to one side of my prostate and had not spread out.

Receive treatment

I was transferred to the Clatterbridge Hospital in Liverpool, where I went through an 18-month course of hormone therapy and daily radiation treatment for seven weeks. To be honest, it was pretty exhausting.

Fortunately, I had good friends in me. When I told them I had a rather advanced prostate cancer and started treatment, it was worrying, but I hoped to sort it.

A close friend from London even appeared for a week at the end of my radiation and led me to my 6 o’clock dates in Liverpool because I was so tired and had difficulty getting there alone. Unfortunately, some friends withdrew – maybe they could neither be exposed to serious illness nor serious death and preferred to remain uninvolved.

After the treatment, the cancer settled well, but I continued PSA tests every six months. Over time, my values arrived slowly and about eight years later they reached a dangerous point. The cancer had really come back with revenge.

I started treatment again, this time only hormone therapy with a daily tablet called Bicalutamide. I’m still there today and my PSA is back to zero.

The side effects and consequences

Sometimes the mental effects of the treatment were quite weak and I would really feel depressed. The hormone drug reduces testosterone levels, which helps to prevent the tumor from growing. I was very tired and my body changed.

These side effects are not great, but I would prefer to do with them than the alternative. I gained some weight and my breasts swollen. I also fight with fatigue, but I get to an age when naps are normal in the afternoon anyway.

I played a lot of rugby before my diagnosis, so I suddenly become a little bit of blob from fit to suddenly – it is sometimes not good for the old head. Doctors do not really warn them of the mental side effects.

My urologist suggested dealing with prostate Cancer UK, and now I am making a discussions of consciousness through the charity organization with men who deal with their diagnosis. The news of everyone is the same – I wish I used to have had a PSA test.

Many of the boys become depressed because some side effects such as breast growth and changes in their sex life suffer. There is the saying “Big Boys don’t cry”, but they really have to show their emotions more. It is much better to share with your partner or friends what you go through and put together.

For me, the most difficult part was actually after the treatment stopped. I had expected to be back to my old myself, but I never have it. Almost two years of treatment demands their toll. But speak to your friends, speak to your partner. It definitely helps. There is no quick solution, but there are good, positive influences out there.

Stay fit

I try to stay as active as possible. I go and go for salmon and trout fly fishing. It is not only on the shore – they are constantly moving, walking, wading through deep rivers, and when you connect a large fish, you need real strength to get it in.

Fishing is also a great opportunity to chat with friends. On a trip my buddy Jim went a lot on the toilet, and I kept pressing him to get a PSA test. Finally he did it and it turned out that he also had prostate cancer.

When Jim saw his doctor about his symptoms for the first time, no PSA test was mentioned. He really had to push for it on his second visit. Now he has treated and is clear. Jim has bought several pints since then.

Simply put, if you have doubts, see your family doctor and insist on a PSA test. The consequences of the missing can be serious. Casing early cancer means that the treatment is very successful, and the treatments themselves have improved – they can still live a full, normal life.

If my doctor had not checked mine, I would have seriously had difficulty.

I do not accuse my family doctor that I first turned away. They are currently not instructed to refer to the middle-aged men with urine symptoms for PSA tests. However, the system has to change. Some of the celebrities who are now talking about prostate cancer, if they have been examined earlier, may not have life -threatening situations.

Now I live a normal life. Nothing really got me weaker. The treatment is excellent as soon as they are there – the difficult part is the start.